[Announcement from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry] New priority areas have been announced
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) have revised the "Priority Areas for the Use of Robotics in Long-Term Care," which were established in November 2012 to promote the contribution of robotics to the long-term care sector and foster the creation of new industries.
Based on this revision, support for the development of new priority areas is scheduled to begin next fiscal year. Please refer to the link below for details.
METI Announcement: "Priority Areas for the Use of Robotics in Long-Term Care" Revised
Newly Added Priority Areas In addition
to the five existing priority areas (Transfer Assistance (Wearable), Transfer Assistance (Non-Wearable), Mobility Assistance (Outdoors), Toileting Assistance, and Monitoring Assistance (Facilities)), the following three areas have been newly added.
Future Support Targets:
Development Support (Project to Promote the Development and Introduction of Robotic Care Equipment)
We plan to begin accepting applications for development grants in March of this year for the eight priority items across five key areas.
FY2014 Budget Proposal: 2.55 billion yen
Subsidy Rate: 2/3 (SMEs), 1/2 (Others)
Demonstration Support (Robotic Care Equipment Introduction Demonstration Project)
We plan to begin accepting applications in March of this year for a project to support large-scale demonstrations at care facilities
involving approximately 15 models and a total of 1,500 units of robotic care equipment currently under development in the priority areas.
FY2013 Supplementary Budget Proposal: 2.05 billion yen
Subsidy Rate: 2/3 of manufacturing and installation costs (SMEs), 1/2 (others), etc.
For details, please refer to the link above.