beyond wheelchairs: whill aims at accessible mobility for all beyond wheelchairs: whill aims at accessible mobility for all

Beyond Wheelchairs: WHILL Aims at Accessible Mobility for All

By: Michiko Kato

May 18, 2022

Reimagining the future of mobility means thinking about transportation in all its forms. For people who have trouble walking, the future is already here — thanks to WHILL.

WHILL produces autonomous short-distance mobility vehicles that represent the first real breakthrough in years for the wheelchair market.

The company brings a fresh perspective to personal mobility with innovative technology and design to offer improved performance, response and durability.

We’re thrilled to lead the latest financing round for WHILL, as the company is aligned with our mission of developing safe, efficient and sustainable mobility for all people. What makes WHILL so special is that their mobility devices offer users greater confidence and make it possible to live a more active lifestyle. These devices deliver better performance, versatility and reliability to enable new adventures for folks who were limited by the traditional options available in the market.

WHILL’s state-of-the-art short-distance mobility vehicles are fully autonomous, so they can operate on their own.

Commercial versions of WHILL’s vehicles and mobility services are already in use in airports, hospitals and other large facilities — the kinds of places where people who have difficulty walking must be able to independently and safely make their way around. Over time, new venues might include any public spaces that are wheelchair accessible.

In addition to improving customer experience and providing convenient transportation services, facility managers can reduce staff load and run safer and more efficient operations.

With the world’s rapidly aging population, an estimated 200 million people who have difficulty walking is expected to double by 2035. Longer term, forecasts have shown that as many as 1.5 billion seniors globally will eventually require personal mobility assistance. And the market is not limited only to those with permanently impaired mobility. WHILL’s vehicles can be valuable to anyone who is temporarily unable to walk due to an injury or recent surgery.

WHILL has received a number of awards, including the Good Design Award, Red Dot Design Award, and a “Best Inventions” recognition by Time magazine. Unlike other wheelchairs, WHILL cares deeply about design because it wants people to regard their products as an enabler of an active and joyful life, allowing users to express their confidence, style, and independence.

Personally, I was thrilled to lead this investment for Woven Capital. My 101-year-old grandmother has made me realize how important technologies like WHILL’s are for a mobility future that meets the needs of all people.

New mobility solutions can make a tremendous impact in fostering human relationships, boosting health and improving quality of life. WHILL leads the way with a decade of proven experience delivering innovative mobility assistance solutions and is well positioned to support this important market and help anyone live their best life through better mobility.

A Proven Market Leader

The funding coincides with the 10th anniversary of WHILL’s founding and follows successful airport trials of WHILL’s fully autonomous mobility service in the San Jose International Airport (which serves Silicon Valley) in addition to other successful trials in New York, Houston, Dallas, Grand Rapids, Toronto, Winnipeg and a permanent installment in Tokyo International Airport.

Facility managers can administer these systems through a B2B service package offered by WHILL, which includes a portal that can monitor and manage multiple devices simultaneously. In addition to improving customer experience and providing convenient transportation services, facility managers can reduce staff load and run safe and energy-efficient operations.

WHILL is also testing direct-to-consumer services. The micromobility company Bird, for example, is testing app-based rentals in New York City, San Diego, and San Francisco.

WHILL Enables Tomorrow’s Mobility Solutions Today

WHILL, with more than 300 employees in Japan, North America, China and Europe, has operations in more than 20 countries. Satoshi Sugie, the founder and CEO, says the new funding will enable WHILL to expand to meet growing demand. Besides sharing his company’s mobility mission, Sugie says Woven Capital will provide new insights and access to industry leaders that will accelerate the company’s growth.

Sugie’s team includes Keito Fukuda, the new CTO, who is experienced in software development and consumer web services. Before joining WHILL, Fukuda led initiatives for connected-car and mobility service at Nissan. Kenji Goho, the CFO at WHILL, is an engineer and private equity investor by background with deep financial and operational experience. The team also includes Kerry Renaud, who is the CEO and Managing Director for Scootaround and leads the company’s North American operations.

WHILL is a globally operated startup from Japan. With about one-third of its total population being elderly, Japan has become a super-aging society ahead of other countries. WHILL is well-positioned to tackle this critical social challenge and improve the quality of life for millions of people with the power of innovation. WHILL is making the future of mobility a reality, today.

beyond wheelchairs: whill aims at accessible mobility for all
About the Author

Michiko Kato is a partner, based in Tokyo, at Woven Capital.