Development History - Stories
Here we introduce Yamaha’s history of developing electric wheelchairs and electric power units for manual wheelchairs.
Yamaha began its first development project for an electric wheelchair in 1989, releasing the JW-I six years later in 1995 as its first commercialized model for limited sales in Kanagawa and Shizuoka prefectures. Since then, Yamaha has continued its pursuit of consistent evolution and refinement of its wheelchair products.
Yamaha Electric Wheelchair Timeline
1989
Yamaha begins working on electric wheelchair developm
1995
July
Yamaha announces the commercialization of the JW-I wheelchair electric power unit
Oct.
Yamaha Motor exhibits at the International Home Care and Rehabilitation Exhibition for the first time
Nov.
Test sales of the JW-I begin in Kanagawa and Shizuoka prefectures
1996
Oct.
Nationwide sales of the JW-I begin and the JW-IB lightweight electric wheelchair (fitted with the JW-I) is also launched at the same time (sales end in 2008)
Nov.
The JW-II wheelchair electric power-assist unit is launched (sales end in 2014)
1997
The JW-I and JW-II win the Nikkei BP Technology Award (Medical Category)
1999
OEM supply of the JW-II to overseas markets begins
2000
Feb.
The JW-II wins 1st Prize at the Ministry of International Trade and Industry’s Mellow Grand Prix
Apr.
The JW-III electric wheelchair is launched (sales end in 2002)
2001
Mar.
The Towny PAS electric hybrid wheelchair for assistants(caregivers) is launched (sales end in 2010)
2004
Apr.
The Towny Joy lightweight electric wheelchair and Joy Unit wheelchair power unit are launched (sales end in 2010)
2006
Feb.
The JWX-1 wheelchair electric power unit and JW Active lightweight electric wheelchair (fitted with the JWX-1) are launched (sales end in 2015)
2008
The JW-II wheelchair electric power-assist unit receives the 2008 Da Vinci Award (hosted by the Michigan Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society), the first time a Japanese company has won the award
2009
The Joy Unit X wheelchair electric power unit is launched (sales end in 2015)
2010
The Towny Joy X lightweight electric wheelchair is launched (sales end in 2015)
2013
The JWX-2 wheelchair electric power-assist unit is launched
2014
The JW Swing electric power-assist wheelchair is launched (sales end in 2023)
2015
July
The JWX-1 PLUS+ wheelchair electric power unit is launched
The Joy Unit X PLUS+ wheelchair electric power unit is launched
Aug.
The JW Active PLUS+ lightweight electric wheelchair is launched
The Towny Joy X PLUS+ lightweight electric wheelchair is launched
2025
The all-new JWG-1 wheelchair electric power unit is launched
