personal mobility device whill wins 2015 japan GOOD DESIGN grand award

personal mobility device whill wins 2015 japan GOOD DESIGN grand award
all images courtesy of whill

grand winner of the 2015 japan GOOD DESIGN award, japanese company whill tackled the slow evolution of personal mobility. the success of the small team is based on introducing unique electronic technology for mass production with a design that is futuristic and follows the user’s perspective.

video courtesy of CNN money

‘we realized that many people desired this kind of innovation in the mobility industry,’ explains satoshi sugie, whill co-founder, and CEO. ‘our mission is to make technology that is minimalistic, functional and stylish. we intend to fundamentally change the attitudes of personal mobility users, as well as the general perceptions of personal mobility.’

the whill offers a completely customizable electronic package for a variety of different users

all the components are powered by two 12 volt batteries, that offer the whill a range of 20 kilometers of travel and speeds of up to 6 km/h. the ability to go anywhere is in the details of wheels – the front tires are comprised of 24 smaller ones that rotate on the spot for omni-directional (side mobility with 360-degree rotation) versatility. furthermore, all four wheels are powered to overcome steps as high as 7.5 centimeters and can handle narrow alleyways, gravel, and grass without a problem.

the whill’s terrain coverage
video courtesy of whill

people with disabilities feel more uneasy and risk higher odds of injury when traveling shorter distances. the designers at whill, focused on the failures found in old wheelchair layouts and presented a modern ride, that combines both intuitive controls and comfortable use. the seat height, angle, length, as well as the foot support and arm rests are all alterable at delivery to fit the individual. tilting the joystick manages the directions, and side buttons offer the flexibility to accommodate a variety of comfort settings. the arm rests and seat have adjustment settings, where users can lift and slide for appropriate circumstances. the seating area glides to a maximum of 15 cm forward for shortening distances between beds and tables.

the expanded horizons of the whill
video courtesy of whill

whill incorporated a software component where using an application on a smartphone adds remote control possibilities. the mobility chair with its bluetooth connectivity, responds to adjusted speeds and turning commands from a mobile device for added easy-to-use functionality. this changes the dynamic between the person in the mobility device and the aide because there’s no need to stand behind for guiding. this will fundamentally change the feelings of the users, as well as the general awareness of personal mobility.

video courtesy of whill

all-direction prototype wheel demo
video courtesy of whill

behind the scenes with the designers of the whill
video courtesy of whill

the adjustable arm rests

the remote control smartphone application

the joystick interface
the final design of the front wheels feature 24 smaller tires for tough terrain

the whill personal mobility device is the winner of the 2015 japan GOOD DESIGN grand award, presented during tokyo designers week 2015.

the GOOD DESIGN award was founded in 1957 by the japanese ministry of international trade and industry and is hosted by the japan institute for design promotion. the ‘g mark’ emblem reflects comprehensive design values and principles that aim to enrich lives, industries and society.

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