Power Assist Suit Demonstration Experiment at the 2017 Para Powerlifting Japan Cup [Panasonic]

3.8.2017 01:29:00 EEST | Business Wire | Press release

Panasonic Corporation and ATOUN Inc. (with headquarters in Nara City, Nara Prefecture; represented by Hiromichi Fujimoto) together conducted a demonstration experiment at the "2017 Para Powerlifting Japan Cup" held at Kitakyushu Performing Arts Center on July 16, 2017. In the experiment, staff who assisted in placing/removing the plates onto/from the bar wore a Power Assist Suit to demonstrate its ability to help lighten the load and to confirm the feasibility of using the suit at actual sports competitions.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170802006576/en/

To view this piece of content from mms.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.

In the experiment, staff who assisted in placing/removing the plates onto/from the bar wore a Power Assist Suit to demonstrate its ability to help lighten the load and to confirm the feasibility of using the suit at actual sports competitions. (Photo: Business Wire)

[Video] Power Assist Suit at 2017 Para Powerlifting Japan Cup

Para Powerlifting is a bench press competition for athletes with impairment in the lower limbs. Men and women both complete in 10 different weight classes - men's ranging from 49kg to 107+kg and women's from 41kg to 86+kg. And adjustment of the plates on the bar in accordance to weight classes is carried out by the competition staff. Plates used in official competitions weigh from 10 to 50kg each. Because each athlete has 3 attempts, the staff may end up lifting the plates up off the ground, placing them on the bar, removing them and putting them back down again more than 120 times during the competition, if, for example, there are 40 participating athletes.

With that in mind, Panasonic and ATOUN focused on the potential of the Power Assist Suit in reducing the impact on the muscles and hips of the competition staff. This demonstration experiment was organized with the cooperation of the Japanese Para Powerlifting Federation.

The Power Assist Suit used in this particular demonstration experiment was the ATOUN MODEL A with modifications specifically for powerlifting. Transportation companies, distribution centers, and factories where there is frequent lifting of heavy objects are already using the ATOUN MODEL A.

"The Power Assist Suit lends power in a very natural way, so I was able to pick up the plates very easily without exerting extra force," explained a staff who wore the suit.

Powerlifting athlete, Eri Yamamoto-MacDonald, who witnessed the staff wearing the Power Assist Suit up close said, "As athletes, we are able to concentrate on powerlifting thanks to the support from the staff. Because the Power Assist Suit helps lighten the load, we have that much more security and peace of mind to concentrate on the sport."

Susumu Yoshida, Director of the Japanese Para Powerlifting Federation, commented, "In order to hold competitions in a safe and secure manner, we would definitely like to consider implementing the Power Assist Suit in the near future."

Panasonic will continue to realize a more enjoyable sporting environment for athletes, staff, and the audience with unparalleled technologies and solutions.

Contact information

Panasonic Corporation
Global Communications Department
Media Promotion Office
Click here to go to Media Contact form

About Business Wire

Business Wire

http://www.businesswire.com

For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.

Subscribe to releases from Business Wire

Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Latest releases from Business Wire

The Coca-Cola Company Names New Leader for Europe Operating Unit18.7.2025 22:00:00 EEST | Press release

The Coca-Cola Company today announced that Luisa Ortega will become president of the Europe operating unit effective Sept. 1, succeeding Nikos Koumettis, who will retire in 2026 after a 25-year career with the company. Koumettis will remain with the company through Feb. 28, 2026, as a senior advisor. He will also serve on the board of directors of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd., a company-owned bottler in India. Ortega joined Coca-Cola in 2019 and currently serves as president of the Africa operating unit. In this role, she leads a complex business that operates across 54 markets. Koumettis has led the Europe operating unit since it was created in 2021. “Luisa has done an outstanding job leading our African business, where our system has continued to make major investments to serve growing markets on the continent,” said Henrique Braun, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of The Coca-Cola Company. “As head of Europe, she will bring great international experien

NFL Running Back Derrick Henry Joins Amazfit as Athlete Ambassador18.7.2025 16:00:00 EEST | Press release

Amazfit, a leading global smart wearables brand owned by Zepp Health (NYSE: ZEPP), announced Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry as the newest elite athlete to join its growing roster of ambassadors. Known for his rare combination of speed and strength, Henry will utilize Amazfit wearables to power every phase of his training, recovery and sleep as he prepares for his 10th NFL season. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250718322498/en/ Derrick Henry is the newest elite athlete to join Amazfit's growing roster of ambassadors. As one of the most prolific running backs of his generation, Henry has amassed an impressive array of accolades during his career, including NFL Offensive Player of the Year, two rushing titles, and five Pro Bowl selections. With Amazfit as his official smart wearable partner, the former Heisman winner will integrate advanced health and fitness tracking into his training regimen and r

Qualcomm Announces Quarterly Cash Dividend18.7.2025 16:00:00 EEST | Press release

Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) today announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.89 per common share, payable on September 25, 2025, to stockholders of record at the close of business on September 4, 2025. About Qualcomm Qualcomm relentlessly innovates to deliver intelligent computing everywhere, helping the world tackle some of its most important challenges. Building on our 40 years of technology leadership in creating era-defining breakthroughs, we deliver a broad portfolio of solutions built with our leading-edge AI, high-performance, low-power computing, and unrivaled connectivity. Our Snapdragon® platforms power extraordinary consumer experiences, and our Qualcomm Dragonwing™ products empower businesses and industries to scale to new heights. Together with our ecosystem partners, we enable next-generation digital transformation to enrich lives, improve businesses, and advance societies. At Qualcomm, we are engineering human progress. Qualcomm Incorporated includes our licensin

MultiBank Group Confirms $MBG Token Listings on MEXC and Gate.io on TGE Day in Addition to MultiBank.io and Uniswap18.7.2025 15:34:00 EEST | Press release

MultiBank Group, the world’s largest & most regulated financial derivatives institution, is proud to announce that its highly anticipated $MBG Token will be listed on two new major global cryptocurrency exchanges — MEXC and Gate.io — on the day of its official Token Generation Event (TGE), July 22, 2025, in addition to MultiBank.io and Uniswap. The $MBG Token will go live on: MultiBank.ioGate.ioMEXCUniswap This new dual listing will allow millions of users across both exchanges to seamlessly access and trade $MBG using their existing accounts, ensuring immediate market participation at launch. The Token Generation Event (TGE) is now approaching following the successful completion of two pre-sale rounds, where MultiBank Group issued 7 million tokens in Round 1 and 3 million tokens in Round 2 — both of which sold out within minutes. Naser Taher, Chairman and Founder of MultiBank Group said “With $MBG, we’re introducing a utility token built to deliver real-world value, transparency, and

SLB Announces Second-Quarter 2025 Results18.7.2025 13:50:00 EEST | Press release

SLB (NYSE: SLB) today announced results for the second-quarter 2025. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250716727689/en/ The exterior of the SLB headquarters in Houston, Texas. Second-Quarter Results (Stated in millions, except per share amounts)Three Months EndedChangeJun. 30, 2025Mar. 31, 2025Jun. 30, 2024SequentialYear-on-yearRevenue $8,546 $8,490 $9,139 1% -6% Income before taxes - GAAP basis $1,285 $1,063 $1,421 21% -10% Income before taxes margin - GAAP basis 15.0% 12.5% 15.5% 251 bps -52 bps Net income attributable to SLB - GAAP basis $1,014 $797 $1,112 27% -9% Diluted EPS - GAAP basis $0.74 $0.58 $0.77 28% -4% Adjusted EBITDA* $2,051 $2,020 $2,288 2% -10% Adjusted EBITDA margin* 24.0% 23.8% 25.0% 21 bps -103 bps Pretax segment operating income* $1,584 $1,556 $1,854 2% -15% Pretax segment operating margin* 18.5% 18.3% 20.3% 20 bps -175 bps Net income attributable to SLB, excluding charges & credits* $1,016

In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.

Visit our pressroom