Listen to this articleWHILL is an award-winning personal mobility and medical device company transforming the way people look at and use mobility devices with unmatched, cutting edge design and technology. Thanks to the recent funding, their Model M is scheduled to be available for sale with a prescription this summer. Below is our interview with Chris Koyama, Marketing Director at WHILL:
Q: What is WHILL? Could you tell us WHILL’s startup story?
A: WHILL began when 15 college friends, who had gone on to work as engineers and designers for Japan’s automotive giants, as well as Sony, Olympus and Apple, got together for a singular cause–to address the many flaws in wheelchair design. This sense of purpose arose when a mutual friend and wheelchair user mentioned that he felt undervalued and stigmatized by the design of his wheelchair. Because of this, he avoided going out in public, even to the grocery store just two blocks away.
One year later, WHILL made its global debut as the first non-automotive product at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. The device and WHILL’s message was met with enthusiastic acceptance. From here, the company went on to win the 2012 TechCrunch Disrupt Tokyo, launched a successful Kickstarter campaign, received awards and recognition for its design, and closed multiple rounds of funding: $1.7MM seed round (2013); $11MM Series A (2014); and $17.5MM Series B (2016).
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Q: Could you please give us more insights into WHILL’s products?
A: WHILL Model A
The Model A is WHILL’s flagship product. Featuring a sophisticated and modern design, 4-wheel drive capabilities, omni wheel technology, and wireless bluetooth controls, the Model A is a personal mobility device that offers anyone a unique and exciting way to explore the world.
Please see our response to “What makes WHILL unique in the market” for details on these features.
WHILL Model M
In February 2016, WHILL received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance on WHILL Model M. The clearance allows WHILL to reach out to the over 6.8 million mobility device users in the United States, especially those who have been waiting for an FDA-cleared WHILL product since the nationwide launch of the Model A mobility device in June of 2015.
FDA clearance of Model M represents a major milestone for the company and their customers in the US healthcare system. It will allow U.S. physicians to provide their patients with a new, modern wheelchair option. This is in line with WHILL’s mission to change the perception of mobility devices such as wheelchairs and scooters, which the clinical appearance of these devices can give the impression of illness, making the user self-conscious and uncomfortable.
The Model M is scheduled to be available for sale with a prescription this summer.
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Q: What’s the achievement WHILL is most proud of?
A: There’s so much for the company and our team to be proud of, but if we had to choose just one achievement, it would be the positive impact we’re making on the wheelchair industry. The industry has seen minimal innovation in decades and, unfortunately, this means users have been offered the same old models and designs. The Model M is changing the game by providing users an option like never before seen. Featuring a compact form and revolutionary design, and unparalleled navigational and functional capabilities, the Model M will provide freedom, independence and individual expression that puts THEIR life front and center. It’s giving sophisticated wheelchair users the sophisticated device they deserve.
Q: You’ve recently announced a $17.5 million series B funding round; what are your plans?
A: The new funding will assist in the launch of Model M this summer by allowing WHILL to increase our presence and availability throughout the United States and into Europe later this year. This effort will provide more people the opportunity to test drive and own a WHILL.
In addition to market expansion for the Model M, we’re also working on establishing a strong brand for our personal mobility technology. The funding will allow us to accelerate research and development programs for autonomous driving, a rental program for airports, and remote device management system.
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Q: What makes WHILL unique in the market?
A: The unique features that makes the WHILL Model M stand out in the market are its design, 4-wheel drive capabilities, and the omni wheel.
First, by understanding that current devices are boring, but the users are not, and that a wheelchair is not just for traveling from point A to B, but that it truly impacts a user’s social integration and overall quality of life, Model M’s design addresses several issues.
Its sleek and aesthetic design allow for the user’s personality to shine through rather than being eclipsed by the over-sized clinical look of other chairs on the market. Furthermore, the ascending arm design suggests forward movement and puts the user in an active “driver” position instead of the passive position when being pushed in a wheelchair. This active design has been found to make users feel more outgoing and more engaged socially. The arms also move up and out of the way, and the seat moves forward and back to allow for easy transferring and physical interactions with others.
Secondly, the Model M omni wheel technology and 4-wheel drive capabilities mark a fundamental change in personal mobility. Unlike traditional front wheel options like casters that work well for tight spaces indoors, or larger front wheels for better ground coverage outdoors, the Model M omni wheel with all-direction capability, combined with 4-wheel drive, offers both a tight turning radius and superb terrain coverage. WHILL users will be able to get up and go, unconcerned that they’ll be able to manage the slopes, carpets, tight spaces, grooves, and cracks as they go on about their business. It will expand their lifestyle and choices by significantly reducing daily planning and preparation time.
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