Main image of Murata Envisions the Future of the Wellness Industry: A Glimpse of Our Latest Technologies on Display at CEATEC 2024

Murata Envisions the Future of the Wellness Industry: A Glimpse of Our Latest Technologies on Display at CEATEC 2024

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (hereinafter, "Murata") exhibited at CEATEC 2024 (at Makuhari Messe Hall, Chiba City), Japan's largest exhibition of digital innovation held from October 15th, 2024. This year's theme is "Society 5.0", also known as the Super Smart Society that utilizes AI (artificial intelligence), IoT, big data and more. Murata aims to contribute to the creation of a prosperous future society, this time, with a focus on the wellness industry. You might wonder: In what ways will Murata's products and solutions contribute to the world? Here is a brief overview of a few innovations which can contribute to this 'Future Vision' apparent during our CEATEC exhibition.

Image of Murata's booth

*Please mind that the products mentioned in this article are not medical devices, and are not intended to actively diagnose, treat or prevent diseases.

Healthcare Devices for Women: Device which can support women to understand their bodies' physical condition.

The first product in this article's line up is a device which can help women to manage their physical health by monitoring their menstrual cycle.

It's a clip-on device that you can clip onto your underwear before bedtime. The acquired data is then later displayed on a smartphone application.
It's a clip-on device that you can clip onto your underwear before bedtime. The acquired data is then later displayed on a smartphone application. (Image is for illustration)

This product does not measure overall body temperature, however, by attaching it to an item of clothing close to the lower body, it can measure the temperature of the internal abdomen while sleeping. By continuously measuring, it can detect changes, specifically low and high temperature spikes, over a longer period of time.

Being aware of these low and high temperature phases the body experiences during the menstrual cycle can help the user to understand their own physical condition and menstrual cycle better. Especially knowing when their body is in a certain phase or condition during their cycle may make it easier for them to take more precise care of their bodies. According to the product developer, they found that users who use the conventional method of orally checking their body temperature after waking up each morning often find this to be difficult due to having to fit this routine into the busy morning schedule, as well as perhaps not knowing how to measure the temperature accurately. Therefore, they wanted to design a product which is easy to use on a daily basis.

Useful for detecting changes between high and low temperature phases.
Useful for detecting changes between high and low temperature phases.

We are aiming to start product service by fiscal year 2026, with the initial target audience focused on women in premenopausal and menopausal stages, as well as women who are hoping to get pregnant. Our product developer further commented: "Although society has progressed significantly over the years, some women still have to make the hard choice to give up on their careers due to the fact that they are too busy with work to be able to fully focus on their health. We want to develop this product to be a companion for women throughout their lives, something which can help and provide them the chance to think about their health."

Finger-Touch detection even possible underwater: Actualization with Picoleaf™

Murata's piezoelectric film sensor "Picoleaf™" is also being exhibited as a product for the wellness industry. Picoleaf™ is a sensor which can detect forms of bending, twisting, pushing, vibrating and other kind of forces applied to the sensor by utilizing piezoelectric properties that can generate voltage when such force is administered. The Picoleaf™ shown at CEATEC is design to detect a 'pushing' kind of pressure, similar to finger touch sensors used in the touch panel of a smartwatch.

This new product helps solve the problem that conventional smartwatches are difficult to operate underwater or in environments where water is present on the device. Commonly, capacitive touchscreens which detect the position of a finger-touch by capturing weak changes in capacitance between the screen and the user's finger are used for such displays. While this poses no problem for everyday use, we found it could be a challenge when used in water or environments where water is present on the screen. The product developer commented: "Because water conducts electricity, it was impossible to determine whether the touch was initiated by a human finger or by the water itself, furthermore we found the touch panel did not operate properly underwater."

Picoleaf™ is transparent and can detect when a force is applied such as pushing, vibration, bending or twisting.

Murata therefore presents Picoleaf™, which has piezoelectric properties that generate voltage when force is applied to the sensor. This enables the area where it is pressed to be able to determine when force is applied, even underwater, making it possible to apply this technology to smartphones and other kind of touchscreens for an improved functionality.

At CEATEC, a demonstration is shown where a smartwatch utilizing Picoleaf™ is submerged underwater. Our staff-members present the function by touching the screen underwater. Murata staff explained "The wearable device submerged in water can be used effectively."

A demo to show how the touch panel reacts underwater.
A demo to show how the touch panel reacts underwater.

We believe this application can help further motivate people to exercise, as they will be able to use their smartwatches with ease in activities where touch operation might previously have been affected by water, such as swimming or diving.

Our product developer further comments: "At CEATEC, we also propose an idea for future application of Push-detection function as a seamless button on metal housing. As we aim to solve the problem of not being able to realize seamless buttons on metal housing due to metal also conducting electricity."

"Lastly, since this device is able to detect minute fluctuations, we want to consider how it might be useful to capture the pulse of workers, such as an application to be used for operators in factories. In the future, we might be able to forcibly stop operation of the equipment based on changes in pulse rate when a serious irregular pulse occurs."

An Appearance by MURATA BOY: a Performance Displaying Skillful Balance

7 years ago, MURATA BOY performed at CEATEC and many onlookers watched the performance with interest. At the time people were in awe of his balance and ability to stay upright while performing. This year too, MURATA BOY will make an appearance!

Image 1 of MURATA BOY demonstration
MURATA BOY demonstration
Image 2 of MURATA BOY demonstration
Image 3 of MURATA BOY demonstration

We would like to wrap up this article with the message: "Let's shape the future together!"

CEATEC 2024 will be held at Makuhari Messe Hall in Chiba City 15th-18th of October. Murata's booth is located in area 6H104. Please note that advance registration for the event is required via the official organizer's website.
Please click here for more information about Murata's exhibition at CEATEC.

We have a full lineup of content that conveys Murata's potential and technology. There will also be many products and items you can try out, so please pay us a visit if you have the chance. Together let's shape a new future!

CEATEC 2024

*Please mind that the contents of this article are published as of the date of publication. The specifications and appearance of products and solutions introduced are subject to change without notice.

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