Land Mobility : Electric Wheelchairs
Introducing Yamaha Motor Land Mobility : Electric Wheelchairs
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Product Profile
Wheelchairs, which facilitate the mobility of the elderly and persons with disabilities, are broadly divided into manual and electrically powered types. Yamaha manufactures and sells electric power units and wheels that can be after-fitted to manual wheelchairs to supplement their light weight and flexibility with the convenience of electric power. Electric power units come in two types: power units that convert manual wheelchairs into electrically powered wheelchairs, and power assist units that make manual wheelchairs easier to use.
- Electric Power Type -
These units add electric power to facilitate the use of manual wheelchairs while retaining manual wheelchairs’ convenience of being able to fold and carry. The unit consists of a joystick for operation, two wheels with a built-in motor and clutch system, and a compact, lightweight
battery.
These power units can be attached to a variety of wheelchair
models, for smooth operation using a single joystick.
JWG-1 electric power unit and unit mounted on wheelchair
- Assist Type -
Power assist units use electric power to supplement the turning of the handrims of a manual wheelchair, using the same Power Assist System as Yamaha’s electrically power assisted bicycles (PAS). The units consist of a motor built into the wheel hub assembly, a handrim torque sensor, and a compact, lightweight battery.
Functions include “slant control,” which makes it possible to move forward in a straight line even on a horizontal slope, and “assist distance control,” which can be used to adjust the length of the assist distance for each push on the wheel. “JW Smart Tune,” a dedicated software for Yamaha wheelchairs, can also be set according to the user’s physical condition and operating environment. The wheelchair
can still be operated in the same way as manual ones, so that users use their residual function. Therefore, it gained a high reputation.
JWX-2 electric power assist unit and unit mounted on wheelchair
Background of the Business
Applying its proprietary control and drive technologies to contribute to the health and social welfare of an aging population, Yamaha Motor began limited-area marketing of power units for manual wheelchairs in 1995 (followed by nationwide sales from 1996).
Since then, we have applied our proprietary advanced control
and drive technologies to offer electric wheelchairs that are comfortable and convenient for users, and also minimize the effort required by caregivers.
Current Market Conditions
Primarily in Japan, the United States and Europe, electric wheelchairs are used not only by persons with disabilities, but also are being rented by the growing number of elderly through systems in those areas.
Production
| Name of company (Site) | Location |
|---|---|
| Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (Iwata Main Factory) | Iwata, Shizuoka, Japan |
Business Operations
