Yamaha Motor Launches New Wheelchair Electric Power Units JWG-1 - First Full Redesign in 10 Years, Launching in Japan and Expanding Globally -
October 31, 2024
IWATA, October 31, 2024 - Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (Tokyo: 7272) has developed a new wheelchair electric power unit, the JWG-1, and will begin selling it domestically from January 2025. The Company also plans to introduce the product in markets around the world, including Europe (scheduled for April) and the United States (scheduled for September).
This is the first full model change of a wheelchair electric power unit in ten years since the JWX-1 PLUS+ and the Joy Unit X PLUS+ in 2015.
The wheelchair electric power unit is a system unit that is retrofitted to a manual wheelchair. These units are mainly supplied to wheelchair manufacturers, and when fitted to manual wheelchairs, they enable motorization.
The newly developed JWG-1 has been designed with enhanced functionality from the perspective of wheelchair users and caregivers. Its main features include: (1) improved visibility of the LCD screen on the controller, (2) the addition of an LCD screen to the assistant controller and the adoption of a lever throttle, (3) improved unit maximum load* (from 125 kg to 160 kg), (4) improved tire axle torque performance (from 25.3 Nm to 50.1 Nm), and (5) lighter battery (from 3.4 kg to 2.4 kg).
Going forwards, the Company will focus on the development and manufacturing of units and system components as a manufacturer specializing in electric power units. As a result, the Company will discontinue selling completed models as of March 2025. Yamaha Motor will also strengthen collaboration with wheelchair manufacturers and other partners to supply electric power units and create new business areas.
*Unit load capacity includes passenger, luggage, and frame weight.
This is the first full model change of a wheelchair electric power unit in ten years since the JWX-1 PLUS+ and the Joy Unit X PLUS+ in 2015.
The wheelchair electric power unit is a system unit that is retrofitted to a manual wheelchair. These units are mainly supplied to wheelchair manufacturers, and when fitted to manual wheelchairs, they enable motorization.
The newly developed JWG-1 has been designed with enhanced functionality from the perspective of wheelchair users and caregivers. Its main features include: (1) improved visibility of the LCD screen on the controller, (2) the addition of an LCD screen to the assistant controller and the adoption of a lever throttle, (3) improved unit maximum load* (from 125 kg to 160 kg), (4) improved tire axle torque performance (from 25.3 Nm to 50.1 Nm), and (5) lighter battery (from 3.4 kg to 2.4 kg).
Going forwards, the Company will focus on the development and manufacturing of units and system components as a manufacturer specializing in electric power units. As a result, the Company will discontinue selling completed models as of March 2025. Yamaha Motor will also strengthen collaboration with wheelchair manufacturers and other partners to supply electric power units and create new business areas.
*Unit load capacity includes passenger, luggage, and frame weight.
New wheelchair electric power units JWG-1
