CASIO launches smart watches; ORIX provides good living facility for elderly

At the consumer electronics industry's largest event in the world, CES 2017, the iconic digital watch maker Casio made its latest timepiece introductions - including the brand new PRO TREK WSD-F20 Smart Watch.

Yuichi Masuda, Senior Executive Managing Officer, Member of the Board, said, "Our latest product is the smart outdoor watch WSD-F20. To effectively appeal to our users, we have positioned the WSD-F20 as a PRO TREK Smart. It is the latest edition to the PRO TREK lineup watches."

Under the CASIO Connected concept, facing the era of internet, CASIO have already made significant technology innovations in terms of connecting analog watches with internet, further increased the value and usability, also lead to the development of today's smartwatches.

WSD-F20 is water-resistant, U.S. military compliant and powered by Android Wear.

The watch is equipped with built in low-power GPS and full color map functionality that can be used offline to expand the range of outdoor adventures.

As the latest edition to the world-renowned PRO TREK brand outdoor watches, it has various magnificent outdoor features.

Takeshi Okada, Official, CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD, said, "The special feature of this product is when smartphones are out of reach of the signal during outdoor activities. In order to enhance the convenience for the users, a GPS and full color map which can be used offline are available. This product is different from others because instead of being a watch with ordinary function for daily use, it's specially designed for outdoor activities, with a unique design for water resistance and durability features."

Over the years, CASIO's unique advanced technologies have combined in watchmaking that's a perfect fit for today's digital life.

A Chinese visitor said, "Electronic products have become more advanced. We are curious how Casio will evolve in this industry."

A Mexican visitor said, "I think this watch has a very nice and stylish design. It is very complete. It has GPS and can tell you what is your direction, for example, cycling or running, measures your steps and distance. So, I think it's a device for outdoor."

An American visitor said, "I think this watch is really interesting. The first one I have ever seen for fishing. Very unique device. And it does all the other outdoor activities. It can be used for outdoor, used for bicycling, running, climbing, skiing. So, a variety of different things."

The society of Japan is becoming more aging.

The newly opened Good Time Living Saga Hirosawa is one of the residences designed for the elderly which operated by ORIX Living.

Etsuaki Morikawa, President, ORIX Living Corporation, said, "In Japan, it has been a while since nursing homes were defined as facilities designated for taking care of elderly who are unable to receive help from their families. Our facility is different and aims at creating a new style of life to help the people living here to enjoy their life."

Suitable for the location of the ancient capital of Kyoto, each of the four season's scenery can be enjoyed from the courtyard.

The setup of the tenants' rooms is designed with respect of their privacy and individuality. Tenants can decorate the doorway with their mementos.

As necessary, nursing care lift stored in the wall assists the tenants' movement.

There is remote monitoring equipment implemented with IT technology. The sensor can prevent hazards before it can occur by detecting the movement of the tenants and reporting to the staff.

Morrikawa added, "Since the tenant's information is digitized, with IT technology in a Wi-Fi environment, every employee is able to pull out the tenants' information from their tablets. While this impression for caring is offered from others, the truth is that it's better not to have it provided from others. It's important to become more and more capable of handling individually. In order to provide support to enable a life without guilt, the self-supporting assisting mechanism is down by using like IT technology and robot technology."

Services from professional hairdressers are available at the beauty salon.

Various activities are also held at the club saloon.

Morikawa said, "For example, although I've never tried the hula dance before, it's a pleasure to learn it every day. We are also creating moving moments like making original songs with the chorus together over a year of practicing, and then record them at a professional studio, so on. It's our job to wake up the power of life."

The estimate of the business will grow while aging is progressing worldwide.

He said, "Eventually, other Asian countries will catch up with the aging in Japan. At that time, we want to build up the endeavors that enable us to live vigorously based on the new-normal, the new common knowledge."

The proposals of having the tenants as the main player of the safe and comfortable senior citizen residence continue to unfold.