This massage sofa more closely resembles an easy sofa than an ordinary massage chair. With a full range of massage functions, this massage machine has a compact and simple design fitting various interior designs. Care has been taken to combine these functions into a sofa the size of an ordinary easy sofa.

At first glance, nobody would think this was a massage chair. Still, it has not lost any of its massage performance. All aspects of this design have been newly developed, including its back height, its overall size, its round form comfortable for the user, its foot-massage feature that stores away neatly, its replaceable covers available in 10 colors, and its calm, gentle design, making it a brand new type of massage easy chair unlike any seen before.

Aiming to make a chair that could be used as an easy chair even when not using the massage features, this design realises both a simple easy-chair form in which the user can sit freely and full range of massage functions.

While some well-designed massage chairs had been achieved in the past, they definitely suffered in the area of performance. This is the first product that can be called "furniture" produced by Panasonic, a pioneer in massage chairs. One feels that it is about time massage chair design moved in this direction. This design should be acceptable even to consumers who had hesitated to buy massage chairs in the past because they were unsure where they could put it in the house.

2009 Good Design Awards - Gold Award 2009, Human Body category

Founded in 1918 in Osaka, Japan, Panasonic Electric Works is devoted to the progress and development of our society and the well-being of people through its business activities, thereby enhancing the quality of life throughout the world.

Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
http://panasonic-electric-works.net

Tamio Yosioka, Healthy Products Division, Home Appliances Manufacturing Business Unit, Panasonic Electric Works Co.,Ltd.

Shinji Yamamoto, Home Appliances Design Group, Design Development Center, Panasonic Electric Works Co.,Ltd.

Motohiro Aoki, Sho Sugie, Home Appliances Design Group, Design Development Center, Panasonic Electric Works Co.,Ltd.

Founded in 1957 by the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization (JIDPO), the Good Design Awards (generally known as the "G Mark system") is Japan's only comprehensive design evaluation and commendation system. Having built a foundation to nurture Japan's industry and design, the Good Design Awards now accepts submissions from around the world and has earned a reputation for being a prestigious trademark for outstanding design and quality. Good Design Awards have been presented to 34,000 products to date.
www.g-mark.org