Launch of New Business with Wearable Airbag Applying Automotive Safety Technology

Daicel Corporation (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Osaka; President and CEO: Yasuhiro Sakaki) is launching a new business aimed at solving the critical issue of 'fall-related fracture risks among seniors' as society ages, as part of the 'Safety and Security' market focus in its long-term vision.

Promoting open innovation to launch new businesses, the company has developed a 'wearable airbag' that instantly mitigates the impact of falls among the elderly. This development leverages approximately 40 years of expertise in inflator design technology for automotive safety components, joint research with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), and innovation support services provided by Sony Group Corporation's Sony Acceleration Platform.

Starting in May 2026, the company will initiate joint research with Hiroshima University to accelerate efforts toward practical implementation, including clinical research led by the university hospital to verify product safety, usability, and acceptance.

Background of Development: Applying Automotive Safety Technology to 'Everyday Safety'

Realizing the mission to 'identify daily risks and support peace of mind in everyday life.'

For nearly 40 years, Daicel has provided airbag inflators based on pyrotechnic technology to major global automotive manufacturers, driven by the mission of 'protecting vehicle occupants and pedestrians.' The principle of an airbag is composed of sensors that detect collisions, an inflator that receives the signal and activates the airbag within milliseconds, and the airbag itself, which inflates like a balloon. Without the 'inflator,' the airbag cannot deploy instantly, safely, or reliably. Daicel's advanced technology in inflators is utilized to ensure occupant safety.

The company aims to expand this value of 'Safety and Security' beyond the mobility sector, striving to 'identify daily risks and support peace of mind in everyday life.' Recognizing that seniors becoming bedridden or requiring nursing care due to fall-related fractures is a critical issue for individuals and their families, Daicel intends to contribute to the safety of seniors' daily lives by applying its long-standing impact protection technology.

Development of 'Wearable Airbag' through Open Innovation

In developing this product, Daicel promoted open innovation through collaboration with different industries while keeping its core inflator technology as the foundation. While the company has previously aimed to solve social issues with impact protection as its core technology, it has now established fall detection algorithms and airbag design technologies through external cooperation to build systems that enrich users' lives.

- Joint research with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST): Leveraging scientific knowledge on fall mechanisms and technology development support based on measurement and evaluation of human body movements by the Biosignal and Biomechanics research team of the Research Center for Human-Centered Self-Care (Team Leader: Masahiro Fujimoto), the company designed sensing items and judgment logic to establish an algorithm that detects falls instantly and with high accuracy.

- Innovation support from the Sony Acceleration Platform: In addition to business development support for new business creation, the company received technical development support to realize the product concept and establish the commercialization process.

- Multilateral co-creation structure: Continuous efforts were made to grasp issues from an on-site perspective, propose appropriate solutions, and implement improvements through the cooperation of multiple medical facilities, nursing facilities, and experts. Furthermore, the product was developed with the support of many companies for application implementation and clothing production.

Through multilateral co-creation, Daicel realized the product concept of a 'low-burden vest' that reduces the risk of fall-related fractures among the elderly, setting the mission of this business as 'refining comfortable wearing experiences and providing subtle peace of mind.' Through this co-creation, the company successfully realized the compatibility of 'wearability as a wearable airbag' that does not hinder daily movements and 'reliable technical capability' that softens impacts during an unexpected fall.

Clinical Research at Hiroshima University Hospital and Future Prospects

To accelerate the social implementation of this product, clinical research led by Hiroshima University Hospital will be conducted from May 2026.

- Verification content: Confirmation of safety, wearability, and acceptance of the wearable airbag (new hip protector).

In launching this clinical research, Daicel received tremendous cooperation from many involved parties, including Professor Mikami of Hiroshima University Hospital.