JAPANESE

For the Senior Generation

For the Senior Generation For the Senior Generation

We want to create a society in which people can enjoy the lifestyle of their choosing, in comfort and in good physical and mental health, regardless of their age. Through IoT, smart robots, autonomous driving technology, and other innovations, we aim to contribute to building a society where senior citizens can maintain direct and indirect connections with their local communities.

New mobility solutions
using autonomous driving technologies

Solving regional transportation issues
through Autonomous Driving BRT

Solving regional transportation issues through Autonomous Driving BRT

The Company is partnering with local stakeholders to drive planned community development and deliver sustainable mobility services. One such effort is the development of next generation mobility services, including the “Autonomous Driving and Platooning BRT (Bus Rapid Transit),” a system in which various autonomous vehicles travel in coordinated platoons to provide safe, reliable and flexible high capacity transport.

Since October 2021, the Company has partnered with West Japan Railway Company to conduct trials of the Autonomous Driving and Platooning BRT on a dedicated test course in Yasu City, Shiga Prefecture, progressing toward real world deployment in the mid 2020s.
Since 2023, building on the results of the test course trials, location specific demonstrations have progressed, such as route testing in Higashihiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, and studies on autonomous bus deployment in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture.

Furthermore, Matsue City in Shimane Prefecture launched demonstration tests in FY2024 to automate route buses as a response to the worsening driver shortage.

By working closely with local communities and advancing the real world deployment of next generation mobility services, the Company will help build sustainable transportation infrastructure.

Sustainable public transport using autonomous vehicles

Sustainable public transport using autonomous vehicles

Against the backdrop of bus route closures and driver shortages, BOLDLY Inc. is providing support for the implementation of self-driving buses across Japan and provides the Dispatcher platform for self-driving fleet management. Through these and other initiatives, BOLDLY is working to realize convenient and sustainable mobility services using autonomous vehicles.

In Kamishihoro Town in Hokkaido, one NAVYA ARMA autonomous bus was introduced and placed into regular service on December 1, 2022, followed by unmanned level 4 demonstration runs in FY2024.
It plans to transition to level 4 autonomous driving operations in FY2027 and aims to put level 4 autonomous driving services into practical use in urban areas.*

[Note]
  1. *
    For some time after the transition, the bus will operate at Level 2 in some situations, such as at intersections with traffic signals.

Aiming to develop easy-to-use, senior-friendly products

We offer simple, easy-to-use smartphone devices designed specifically for senior citizens, even those who have never used a smartphone before.

Simple Smartphone 7

The “Simple Smartphone 7” has a large menu display and large keys and letters making reading and typing easier.
Not only that, SoftBank is working to enrich and improve the convenience of senior citizens' active lifestyles with this model that allows them to quickly look up directions, connections, etc. thanks to its voice search that can be used by simply tapping the microphone icon.

Kantan Smartphone 4

Kantan Smartphone 4, sold under the Y!mobile brand, is a Company branded device for which the Company sets the specifications and outsources production to device manufacturers. It was designed to provide seniors with a secure and user friendly smartphone experience by improving usability and functionality, with the goal of reducing the digital divide and safeguarding users from criminal schemes.
Furthermore, Kantan Smartphone 4 has been recognized by the National Crime Prevention Association as a recommended crime prevention device.

Service Overview
Push-to-support In the event that you are unsure of the operation of the device while using, just press the support button and the device will understand the situation and solve the problem on its own. It also connects to a free dedicated consultation service.
Anti-nuisance phone function

If you receive an unwanted call such as an oreore scam, bank transfer scam, or persistent sales call, the system will warn you that the call is dangerous. In addition, if you receive a call, the system will automatically record the voice of the caller as well as the warning guidance to you.

[Note]
  1. *
    We have already applied for a patent for the voice guidance of the nuisance call prevention function.

A new service to look after seniors using IoT

Mimamori Plus-24* was launched on April 1, 2022 for local governments across Japan as a new service that helps look after seniors who live alone.

Previous emergency alert services presented numerous issues like needing a land-line or not working outdoors. Mimamori Plus-24 solves these issues, enabling more comprehensive monitoring of seniors' safety by combining an emergency alert system using kids' phones provided by SoftBank Corp., activity detection via IoT sensors provided by SB C&S Corp., and a contact center run by Anshin Support Co., Ltd.

[Note]
  1. *
    This service is provided through a business tie-up between Anshin Support, which offers services for seniors, SoftBank Corp. (which implements social contribution activities and provides IoT devices and communication lines), and SB C&S (which provides IoT sensor-related products and services to enterprises)

Using smartphones to track wandering seniors

Using smartphones to track wandering seniors

SoftBank Corp. is cooperating with the Comprehensive Strategy to Accelerate Dementia Measures (New Orange Plan) promoted by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and other related ministries and agencies. SoftBank provides “Orange Safety Net,” a smartphone-based application to support the monitoring of elderly people with dementia, in cooperation with the National Caravan Mate Liaison Council*.

Through the service, local governments and community search collaborators work together, sharing information in real time about the search to help quickly find the missing person. To protect personal information, search requests made by seniors' families or other parties can only be seen by search collaborators who have been approved ahead of time by the municipality and have agreed to participate in the search through the app. After the search is over, access to the request is automatically restricted, thus making the information available only to those who need it while they need it.

[Note]
  1. *
    An organization affiliated with the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare which holds training courses for supporters of people with dementia.
    https://www.caravanmate.com/ (in Japanese)

Promoting walking and addressing geriatric frailty

Promoting walking and addressing geriatric frailty

SoftBank Corp. has launched initiatives to address geriatric frailty by using technology to improve the health of seniors.

Frailty is a weakened state of decreased physical and cognitive function, in which individuals are not fully healthy but do not yet require nursing care. Working with various municipalities, SoftBank Corp. began pilot testing of a smartphone app, Ugokuma, to promote the formation of walking habits. Following the pilot test, the Ugokuma app was provided on senior smartphones, including the Kantan Smartphone 4 and Simple Smartphone 7, to support steps customers are taking against frailty.

Additionally, starting in April 2025, we will offer a management dashboard for municipalities that conduct frailty countermeasure projects, enabling them to monitor residents' exercise status through the Ugokuma app.