Daicel Corporation
Daicel Corporation (Head Office: Kita-ku, Osaka; President & CEO: Yasuhiro Sakaki) (hereinafter referred to as Daicel) is launching a new business initiative aimed at addressing a critical issue in an aging society -the risk of fall-induced fractures among seniors- within the "Safety and Security" domain, which the Company has identified as a priority market in its long-term vision.
As part of its efforts to create new businesses through open innovation, Daicel has developed a "wearable airbag" that instantaneously mitigates impact when elderly individuals fall. This development is based on the Company's approximately 40 years of technical expertise in inflators used for automotive safety components. The wearable airbag was created through joint research with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, and by leveraging innovation creation support services provided by the Sony Acceleration Platform of Sony Group Corporation.
Starting in May 2026, Daicel will commence joint research with National University Corporation Hiroshima University (hereinafter referred to as Hiroshima University). Under the leadership of the university hospital, we will begin clinical research to assess product safety, wearability, and user acceptance, thereby accelerating our efforts toward practical application.
Background of Development: Applying Automotive Safety Technology to "Safety in Daily Life"
Toward realizing the vision of "identifying everyday risks and supporting safe, peaceful living."
For nearly 40 years, Daicel has been providing airbag inflators based on pyrotechnic technology to major automakers worldwide, with the mission of "protecting vehicle occupants and pedestrians." An airbag system uses an inflator that activates upon receiving a signal from collision sensors and a bag that inflates like a balloon. Without Inflators, airbags cannot open instantaneously. Daicel's advanced technologies are leveraged in inflators to enhance occupant safety.
We aim to expand the provision of this value of "safety and peace of mind" beyond the mobility sector to a wide range of social fields and realize the vision of "identifying everyday risks and supporting safe , peaceful living." As we address the challenges of an aging society, we recognize that fall-induced fractures among seniors are extremely serious issues for both the individuals themselves and their families, as they directly lead to bedridden states or the need for long-term care. By applying the impact protection technology we have cultivated over many years to solve this problem, we will contribute to building safety in the daily lives of seniors.
Development of a "Wearable Airbag" Through Open Innovation
In developing this product, we have promoted open innovation through collaboration with companies in other industries, while keeping our inflator technology at the core. While we have previously aimed to solve social issues with impact protection as our core technology, we are now working to establish fall detection algorithms and airbag technology through external partnerships, and are committed to building a comprehensive system that enriches the lives of our users.
- Joint Research with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST): With scientific insights into fall mechanisms and technical development support based on human motion measurement and evaluation technologies provided by the Biomechanics and Exercise Physiology Research Group (Team Leader: Dr. Masahiro Fujimoto) at the Integrated Research Center for Self-Care Technology, we designed sensing parameters and decision logic for fall detection and established an algorithm capable of detecting falls instantaneously and with high accuracy.
- Innovation Creation Support via the Sony Acceleration Platform: In addition to business development support aimed at creating new businesses, we received technical development support, which enabled us to realize product concepts and establish a commercialization process.
- Multi-faceted Co-Creation Framework: Through collaboration with multiple medical institutions, nursing care facilities, and experts, we continuously identified on-site challenges from a practical perspective, proposed appropriate solutions, and implemented further improvements. Additionally, we established the product with the support of numerous companies for application implementation and garment manufacturing.
Through multi-faceted co-creation driven by open innovation, we have brought to life the product concept of a "low-burden vest" designed to reduce the risk of fall-induced fractures among the elderly. Our mission for this project is to "refine comfort and provide subtle peace of mind." Through this initiative, we have achieved a balance between "wearability as a wearable airbag" that does not hinder daily activities and "reliable technology" that cushions impact in the event of a fall.
Clinical Research at Hiroshima University Hospital and Future Prospects
To accelerate the social implementation of this product, we will conduct clinical research led by Hiroshima University Hospital starting in May 2026.
Research Objectives: To assess the safety, wearable conditions, and user acceptance of the wearable airbag (a newly developed hip protector).
In launching this clinical research, we have received significant cooperation and support from Professor Mikami of Hiroshima University Hospital and all others involved in the clinical research.
Developing an Implementation Model at Pilot Medical Institutions and Nursing Care Facilities
We aim to establish a roadmap for commercialization within fiscal year 2027/3 and target a sales launch around summer 2027. To support seniors in living safe and secure daily lives, Daicel will further accelerate efforts toward practical application in medical and nursing care settings and contribute to solving the social issue of fall-induced fractures.
Daicel Corporation
Comment from Eiichi Ryobo, Executive Officer Responsible for the Safety SBU
"The Safety SBU has long contributed to society through products such as airbag inflators, with the aim of designing safety and peace of mind in daily life. To advance these efforts in a rapidly changing environment, it is essential to achieve both greater efficiency in our existing operations and the creation of new values. With the support of many people, we are now proposing our solution, 'Subtle Peace of Mind,' to address the social issue of fall-induced fractures among seniors. This initiative will enable us to provide new value for safety and peace of mind in daily life more than ever before. We will continue to take on the challenge of creating products that contribute meaningfully to society."
Comment from Hiromasa Tsukuma, Head of the Safety SBU
"In the Safety SBU, we have refined technologies focused on 'protecting people at critical moments,' primarily in the automotive sector. This project seeks to extend those technologies into everyday life, taking on the challenge of realizing a society in which older adults can continue to live with confidence and peace of mind. By engaging closely with professionals in the medical and nursing care fields, we will continue to advance product development and validation with a focus on wearability and user acceptance, and promote the social implementation of solutions that can be used safely and reliably over the long term."
Company Overview
Company Name: Daicel Corporation
Representative: Yasuhiro Sakaki
Head Office: Grand Front Osaka Tower-B, 3-1, Ofuka-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka, Japan
Business Description: Manufacturing business; listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market
URL: https://www.daicel.com/en/
About the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)
AIST is one of the largest public research organizations in Japan, and focuses on the creation and practical realization of technologies useful to Japanese industry and society. Its strengths lie in the wide-ranging research conducted at its 12 research bases across the country and the social implementation carried out in collaboration with its subsidiary, AIST Solutions Co. With the vision "Create the Future, Collaborate Together," AIST supports economic and social development through its comprehensive R&D capabilities. In April 2025, AIST established seven Integrated Research Centers, including the Integrated Research Center for Self-Care Technology. Focusing on themes derived through backcasting from social issues, these centers aim to drive problem-solving and the creation of new markets.
[Official Website] https://www.aist.go.jp/index_en.html/
About the Sony Acceleration Platform
The Sony Acceleration Platform was launched in 2014 as an internal program within Sony to promote new businesses, with the goal of creating new value and building a prosperous and sustainable society. In October 2018, it began offering its services to external clients as well. Since 2024, its scope has expanded beyond new business support to include a wide range of business development challenges -such as management improvement, business, organizational, and human resource development, as well as collaboration promotion. These capabilities are delivered as innovation creation support services, while efforts are also underway to strengthen collaboration with external partners to further expand and enhance solution offerings.
[Official Website] https://sony-acceleration-platform.com/ (Japanese only)
<Contact Information>
Daicel Corporation
Safety SBU Business Strategy Office
TEL: 06-7639-7231 Email: asuho_support@jp.daicel.com
Corporate Communication Division
TEL: 03-6711-8121 Email: public_relations2@jp.daicel.com