The threat of COVID-19 has made people refrain from non-essential outings and few people visit stores to buy home appliances. Panasonic's salespersons were losing the existing customer touch points.

On the other hand, Panasonic Corporation conducted tests at the French research institute, Texcell.It was confirmed that nanoe™ X (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) has a 99.99% inhibitory effect on the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in 2 hours.

(*This verification was designed to generate basic research data on the effects of nanoe™ X on the novel coronavirus in laboratory conditions different from those found in living spaces. It was not designed to evaluate product performance.)

Panasonic needed to make the most of nanoeX technology to provide a safe air environments and infrastructures for all, i.e., establishing a new business field that contributes to society.

Panasonic, in collaboration with Grab, Southeast Asia's No. 1 ride-hailing company, has developed a new service called "Anti-Virus Mobility," which is equipped with nanoeX technology and can be easily used by anyone with a smartphone.

Grab is a lifestyle platform with more than 200 million app downloads and is an indispensable part of people's lives in Southeast Asia, along with food delivery services, etc. It was also a primary concern to ensure that passengers benefit from the service with peace of mind as well as the drivers in the execution of their duties.

The two companies found common ground in their respective purposes, and within a few months of the spread of COVID-19, they co-developed a new service to solve this social issue and announced the launch of a total of 5,500 "Anti-Virus Mobility" vehicles in five cities.

All Southeast Asians know the name Grab, whereas almost nobody knows the name of the Japanese virus suppression technology. Following the press conference where both executives shared their thoughts, the media in various countries covered the beneficial collaboration for society along with the name of Panasonic' nanoeX.

The name of nanoeX technology in the trusted grab in Southeast Asia spread quickly through the press and social media.

In Singapore, THE STRAITS TIMES said "5,500 GrabCar vehicles in region to get ionisers that inhibitvirus growth".

In Malaysia, The Drum said "Panasonic turned Grab cars into experimental showrooms for its products."

We got lots of social media responses. Some people tweeted " I've seen Grab with nanoeX twice. I really appreciate this." with a picture that she took in the car, some people tweeted "Great deal! Both ways, for both the brands as well as customers."

Grab drivers equipped with nanoeX received many compliments from passengers and were often rated highly by passengers, helping to protect not only the health of Grab drivers but also their jobs.

Firstly, as a result of the widespread recognition of nanoeX, sales of home air conditioners increased dramatically. Sales of nanoeX-equipped residential air conditioners increased by 187.6% year on year (January-March 2021/Total for Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam).

Secondly, in addition to 5.500 Grab drivers whose cars equipped with nanoeX, many other drivers heard about the product and wanted to install nanoeX in their cars even at their own expense. They were eager to have a virus-suppressed air environment with nanoeX for themselves and their passengers. Immediately after the announcement, there was a several month waiting list for nanoeX.

Thirdly, a supermarket owner in Kuala Lumpur switched all the commercial air conditioners in his store to Panasonic products after hearing the news. The nanoeX has had a positive impact on the B2B market as it is expected to contribute to the healthy air environment of supermarket customers.

In this way, Panasonic has succeeded in making a positive impact on all business fields where nanoeX technology is installed in home appliances by providing virus suppression space services together with Grab.

Panasonic has begun to transform itself into an air infrastructure business for people to suffer from the threat of COVID-19.