We asked Panasonic's specialized team how to get people to read Torisetsu, which many people don't read

We interviewed Mr. Misa Negaki, who is in charge of setting up the air conditioner, Panasonic Appliances Company, Air Conditioning Company, Air Conditioning Company, Product Development Department, Mechanism Development Section, and in charge of setting up the washing machine. Mr. Fumiyo Higuchi, Chief Engineer, Development Management Section, Technology Management Department, Laundry and Cleaner Division. Panasonic's business division that handles so-called home appliances, white goods, has assigned a dedicated Torisetsu person for each product. Of course, specialized knowledge is required, but Panasonic considers Torisetsu to be just as important.

The team that makes Torisetsu shares what the product is and what new functions it has before the product is completely completed, and has been discussing how to convey it to users in an easy-to-understand manner for more than half a year. It is said that it will be repeated.

“As with air conditioners and washing machines, there is a template that describes the basic functions. The main task is to rewrite the explanations to make them easier to understand, such as making the parts where there were a lot of errors.” (Mr. Higuchi)

Mr. Fumiyo Higuchi, Chief Engineer, Development Management Section, Technology Management Department, Laundry and Cleaner Division

However, Panasonic's home appliances are often equipped with completely new functions that have never existed before. In such a case, we will work on how to communicate to users from a very early stage.

"The front-loading washer-dryer released last year was equipped with an unprecedented epoch-making function, the 'Automatic Detergent Injection Function.' By placing it in the washing machine, the washing machine detects the amount of clothes, etc., measures the amount of detergent, and automatically inserts it.

It was about 10 months before the product was released that I heard that the detergent automatic injection function would be newly installed. When I first learned that this function would be installed, I thought it would be a big deal (laughs). We had a lot of trouble figuring out how to convey this completely new feature to our customers. For example, there is a function that allows you to set the amount of detergent in advance in the automatic detergent injection function. Customers can set the amount to be automatically added to a small amount, a standard amount, or a large amount by themselves. However, in the first place, it is necessary to explain exactly what the standard amount of detergent refers to.

Detergent input slot of drum-type washer-dryer "Tilted drum washer-dryer NA-VX9800" equipped with the industry's first automatic liquid detergent/softener input function. Add the liquid detergent in advance

The standard amount of detergent is listed for each detergent, but there were variations in the amount used. This time, the standard amount of detergent per 30 liters of water is confirmed by each detergent manufacturer after verification by the technical department, and then displayed on Torisetsu." (Mr. Higuchi)

However, it took a long time to decide how to display and how to explain the function because it was a completely new function that was not found in conventional drum-type washing and drying machines.

There are various ways of thinking about what is easy to understand. Since this is a new feature that has never existed before, we visited the homes of monitor users who were using the product before it was released, and conducted in-depth interviews. So, we decided to create an independent 'Easy Guide' separate from the usual Torisetsu, and specify the standard amount for each brand of detergent in it." (Mr. Higuchi)

"Easy Guide" that summarizes the automatic detergent injection function in an easy-to-understand manner A table that summarizes the standard amounts of typical detergents and softeners The system is run by a separate department called the Quality Assurance Department, but it is said that it is a valuable opinion in completing Torisetsu because you can hear the voices of people who have actually used the product.

"Although it is not the final version, the monitor also comes with a set of instructions. On top of that, we would like to hear your opinions about what was difficult to understand. Unfortunately, even the monitor did not read the set. There are a lot of people who say they don't. Our number one goal is always to have people read it first." (Mr. Higuchi)