The Grand Prize, the top prize in each of the eight categories of the third annual BabyTech® Award Japan 2021 (sponsored by Papa Smile Co., Ltd.), two Excellence Prizes, and special prizes - the Akachan Honpo Prize and the BabyTech Community Prize - have been decided. The winners were selected from 38 products that passed the initial screening after a rigorous review by a panel of judges.
Award-winning products in each category
Breastfeeding and Feeding Section
first prize
NAVITIME for BABY (NaviTime Japan Inc.)
This is a web application for childcare users of NAVITIME, a navigation application. It shows the best route according to the means of transportation such as "pram", "carrying a baby carrier", and "walking with a baby carrier". For example, if you select "pram", the route with fewer stairs and transfers will be searched first. You can also search for routes to nursing rooms and nappy changing areas. The search function for information on diaper-changing stations includes detailed reviews of women's toilets and multifunctional toilets when the location is a lavatory, so you can search for facilities that men can use, or use them with peace of mind when going out with only father and child.
- The search options for 'pushchairs', 'baby carriers' and 'walking with' allow you to optimise your route. It's useful to see the location of nurseries and nappy changing beds at destinations and en-route stations, as well as images of them.
- I wanted one back in the days when I was pushing my own pram (the last time was 8 years ago)! I thought.
award of excellence
Homeal", a home delivery service for toddler food for parents and children (homeal Co., Ltd.)
Provides frozen toddler meals recommended by a registered dietitian, customized for each family based on toddler food diagnosis. Home delivery of gently seasoned meals in portions that can be eaten by parents and children.
- What cannot be easily achieved has been released as a product that users can use with ease and without hassle. I particularly appreciate the fact that it can be eaten by parents and children. I hope it will evolve every year.
- There is a sense of security in the entries that start with a diagnosis and then a description of what kind of infant food plan is best. This is the second entry from last year, and I appreciate the fact that they are spreading awareness of toddler food, not only by including adults and subs, but also by offering individual items or gifts.
Learning and Play (3 prizes for excellence due to the large number of entries)
first prize
Kazashi-Bai (unouplus Co., Ltd.)
This is a multi-device picture storytelling app that allows the reader to control the app from a smartphone and the listener to enjoy the story from a tablet. The app is designed to make the most of the features of picture storytelling, which allow the listener to concentrate on the world of the story and the reader to create the world of the story, while allowing the user to participate in the story in a way that only digital technology can, such as by touching the screen, which cannot be expressed on paper.
- I think this is a work that brings together the simple but important essences of parent-child communication, the potential of picture-story shows as an opportunity for communication, and the element of play and design using digital devices. I hope that it will spread and that creators and users will be able to become creators.
- It took me by surprise. I think it's a new approach as devices become cheaper and we move into the multi-device era, including TV receivers.
award of excellence
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Model (Amazon Japan G.K.)
Amazon's tablet device for children. With Amazon Kids+, the subscription service for children included in the set, you get unlimited access to thousands of kids' contents for a year. The content is vetted by our dedicated staff to ensure it's safe. Parental controls help prevent overuse.
- The follow-up to users is excellent, and there are glimpses of ways to retain Amazon customers, which I feel works well as a business. In total, thousands of contents are categorised accordingly, and there is enough volume for "interest discovery" through digital devices. If the child is able to use it, it can be used to develop spontaneous play. The fact that the concerns are addressed in detail also makes it easy to introduce into the home.
- The fact that the content has been checked by dedicated staff and that it is age-appropriate in a natural way is excellent. The device and the value that comes with its use is the security of parental oversight and a strong back-up system to ensure that children have the freedom to explore their curiosity independently.
EN-TRY International Exchange (Think-A-Lot Co., Ltd.)
This is a service that allows children from Japanese kindergartens and nursery schools to communicate online with children from overseas kindergartens. The children will have a chance to get to know each other and communicate with each other in advance.
- I think it's great that the company is able to provide an opportunity for children to experience overseas exchange at an early age, which has been reduced due to the Corona disaster. I was wondering how the children would react if they were online, but seeing how they interacted with the Kenyans, there seemed to be no problem and my interest was further broadened.
- I was impressed by the way you have developed your service to serve as a bridge for cross-cultural exchange. I believe that communication tools will continue to evolve with the advancement of technology, but I hope that you will grasp the insights of both Japanese and overseas preschools, and create a world where international exchange between preschools is a matter of course.
KIKASETE (AvirityInformation Inc.)
