In February 2023, Workman established the Comfortable Work Research Lab, a collaborative promotion organization to develop "comfortable work products" in partnership with companies and universities.
The first product released under these "comfortable work products" is the Assist Power Suit.
The first product released under these "comfortable work products" is the Assist Power Suit.
Lightweight and easy to wear, it can reduce the use of back muscles by over 38% and became a hot topic for its affordable price of 9,800 yen, about half of competing products.
Additionally introduced alongside the "Assist Power Suit" was the Peltier Vest.
The "Peltier Vest" is being marketed as "cooling/heating clothing." What could have appeared as "the clothes of the future" in movies or manga just a while ago is already commercially available to the public at a realistic price of 19,800 yen.
This time, Kentaro Doi, manager of Workman's Product Development Department 1, who was involved in developing the "Peltier Vest," talked with official Workman ambassador Koji Yamada about the development episodes.
Making Work Easier & More Comfortable
Koji Yamada (hereafter, Yamada)What was the background behind the establishment of the "Comfortable Work Research Lab"?
Kentaro Doi (hereafter, Doi)A major reason is the aging workforce. With Japan's labor population expected to continue decreasing and the recent problem of many foreign technical trainees returning home due to the weak yen, the challenge is significant.
Additionally, physical labor on-site is generally avoided, so we are developing products to make work easier and more comfortable.
We also gather customer feedback through surveys for development reference. The X-Booster Assist Stretch Pants were created in response to feedback about the inconvenience of detaching supporters when going to the restroom; they are "wearable supporters" integrated with pants.
YamadaAs I spend most of my days working on my computer, I often have shoulder stiffness and eye strain. I would love to have a supportive garment that corrects my posture, making it harder to accumulate fatigue.
DoiThat sounds interesting, too.
Can We Make Clothes Like a Refrigerator?
YamadaWhat led to the creation of the "Peltier Vest"?
DoiDealing with summer heat is one of the biggest challenges for workwear. The "fan-equipped clothing" sold by Workman is very popular as summer workwear, but there are limits as the hot air circulates in hot work environments.
Additionally, fans outside the clothing make some noise, and the clothing tends to inflate, which affects appearance.
Thus, the idea to develop cooler clothing surpassing "fan-equipped clothing" became the starting point of the project.
YamadaThe term "Peltier" is unfamiliar.
DoiPeltier refers to an electronic component that manages cooling and heating, commonly found in refrigerators and wine cellars. The idea to utilize this mechanism in clothing led us to encounter Shiftall Inc.
This spring/summer of 2024, two types of "Peltier Vests" are being launched.
The first is the Wind Core Ice × Heater Peltier Vest PRO, which functions as both cooling and heating clothing.
The first is the Wind Core Ice × Heater Peltier Vest PRO, which functions as both cooling and heating clothing.
DoiAnd the second is the Wind Core Ice Peltier Vest, a cooling-only "air-conditioned clothing."
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