Panasonic Corporation announced its projects to accelerate new businesses in Thailand, starting in the new fiscal year that begins on April 1, 2021. The new strategy undertaken by Panasonic’s Life Solutions Company focuses on three key initiatives: expanding the product line of housing equipment; strengthening the air quality business; and entering into the modular construction housing business with a local partner. Wataru Matsumoto, chairman, regional headquarter of Panasonic Life Solutions Sales (Thailand) and managing director, Southeast Asia & Oceania division of Panasonic Life Solutions Japan explains that «despite the decline in housing sales in Thailand, partly due to the impact of Covid-19, the detached house market is projected to have grown steadily in the year to March 2021 and continue the upward trend with demand especially in the urban neighborhood. Against this backdrop, as people spend more time at home during the pandemic, houses are required to have high value-added features, such as high quality, energy-saving and health, he said. 
At the same time, other social issues are becoming apparent, including ageing society and labor shortage and quality problems in the construction industry.» To respond to those needs and social issues in Thailand, Panasonic rolls out the following initiatives. The company will significantly strengthen the lineup of housing equipment. In addition to the launch of robotic care bed / wheelchair resyone plus that assists the elderly to get out of bed, it plans to introduce its IoT-enabled “Smart Box” parcel delivery box and downlights with a built-in speaker. The company will also develop bathroom unit and deploy its “MirAle” IoT platform for homes, allowing users non-contact operation of home appliances and housing equipment via smartphone. Moreover, Panasonic will strengthen the air quality business by introducing new products such as “ziaino” Antibacterial Deodorizer. Finally, the company announced projects to enter into the modular construction housing business in cooperation with Siam Steel.
