2018 News Events Please enable JavaScript to properly view this page. WHILL Autonomous Service Commercially Available at Narita International Airport SCHIPHOL AND AXXICOM AIRPORT CADDY START TESTING WHILL AUTONOMOUS SERVICE WHILL Announces Autonomous Mobility Service in North America WHILL Announces Full Implementation of WHILL Autonomous Service at Kansai International Airport World’s first autonomous mobility service linked to elevator system allows transportation between multiple floors at Narita International Airport WHILL Secures Funding from Woven Capital to Scale Short-Distance Mobility Service Globally Suntory Holdings’ President Niinami appointed as external board member, Apple's Frost as advisor, and Fukuda from Mercari as new CTO WHILL Trials Power Chair Service at Tampa International Airport Foldable WHILL Model F Named CES 2022 Best of Innovation Award Winner Bird Launches Accessible Rentals Pilot Program in NYC WHILL’s New Portable Power Chair Makes It Easier for People With Mobility Limitations to Get Out and Explore Haneda International Airport to offer WHILL’s fully autonomous mobility service for social distancing practice WHILL Expands Airport Trials of Self-Driving Personal Mobility Devices to North America WHILL Autonomous Driving Trial for Personal Mobility Devices to be held at Haneda Airport WHILL and Tokio Marine Holdings Establish Capital Alliance to Expand Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) Initiatives Worldwide WHILL and Scootaround Team Up to Offer Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) Model for Large Venues and Urban Transportation Worldwide 2019 Japan-U.S. Innovation Program Selects WHILL as SunBridge Emerging Leader Award Winner WHILL Retires the Model M Power WheelchairAs of March 1, 2019, sales of the WHILL Model M power wheelchair have been discontinued. When the Model M was released, the intention was to service a segment of mobility device users who had more complex seating requirements as well as have the option to get a portion of the device covered through insurance. WHILL Unveiled the Future of Mobility at CES 2019: Autonomous Drive System and MaaS Business ModelOn January 8 at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, WHILL, Inc. introduced the future of last-mile transportation—the WHILL Autonomous Drive System (ADS), and Notice: Assembly Procedure of WHILL Model CiImportant Product Safety Notice on the Assembly Procedure of WHILL Model Ci. This notice is to reiterate the potential risk of WHILL Model Ci Earns Spot on TIME’s Best Inventions of 2018 ListWHILL, Inc. today announced their Model Ci personal electric vehicle (EV) received top accolades from one of the nation's most esteemed publications, TIME, as one of the “50 Best Inventions of 2018.” WHILL, Inc. Raises $45 Million In FundingWHILL, Inc., the innovative company behind the award-winning, next-generation Personal Electric Vehicles (PEVs), announced today that it has completed procurement of $45 million dollars in funding led by… UK AND ITALY DEBUT OF ‘NEXT GENERATION’ PERSONAL MOBILITY DEVICEWHILL has recently announced the launch of their award-winning Model C in the UK and Italy markets. This expansion will strengthen WHILL Awarded 2018 “Red Dot: Best of the Best”WHILL, today announced that their Model C won the “Best of the Best” Red Dot Award 2018 in the Healthcare category. This is the fourth design and innovation award WHILL has received in 2018 WHILL, Inc. Expands Distribution of Award Winning Model Ci into CanadaWHILL, Inc., the leader in intelligent personal electric vehicles and recent recipient of the Fast Company “Most Innovative Companies in 2018” award, has taken their first step in selling their new Model Ci in Canada. WHILL NAMED ONE OF THE MOST INNOVATIVE COMPANIES IN 2018 BY FAST COMPANYFast Company announced its annual ranking of the world’s Most Innovative Companies (MIC) for 2018–WHILL Inc. has earned a spot in the Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Robotics. WHILL Launches New Model Ci at CES 2018–Wows Media and AttendeesOn January 9th at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, WHILL, Inc. launched its new Model Ci, an intelligent, personal electric vehicle (PEV) that has the power to WHILL Wins iF DESIGN AWARD 2018WHILL was a winner of this year’s iF DESIGN AWARD, a world-renowned design prize. WHILL LAUNCHES NEW MODEL Ci, A LIFE-CHANGING ASSISTIVE PERSONAL MOBILITY DEVICE THAT EMPOWERS CONFIDENCE; INTEGRATES IoT TO DELIVER PREMIUM CUSTOMER CARESee and Experience 2018 Best of CES Innovation Awards WHILL Model Ci Navigate a Rugged Obstacle Course at the Sands Expo (Booth #43943) Mistletoe, Inc. and WHILL, Inc. Enter Capital AllianceMistletoe, Inc. and WHILL are entering a capital alliance with the goal to create new types of value for future smart mobility within urban environments. WHILL Introduces New Seat Width Option for Model A Vehicles National Seating & Mobility Partners with WHILL, Inc. on Exclusive Distribution of Next Generation Power WheelchairComplex Rehab Technology Solutions provider, National Seating & Mobility (NSM), and WHILL, Inc., the leader in intelligent personal electric vehicles, are partnering on a nationwide distribution agreement for WHILL’s next generation mobility device. Founder and CEO of WHILL Satoshi Sugie Named in Silicon Valley Business Journal’s 40 under 40 ListThe founder and CEO of WHILL, Satoshi Sugie, has been named to the prestigious group of 40 Under 40 by the Silicon Valley Business Journal for 2017. WHILL Awarded VA FSS Contract for Model M Personal EV, Next Generation WheelchairApproval provides U.S. veterans and other U.S. government agency employees access to the industry’s most versatile personal electric vehicle WHILL Launches WeDrive, a Free, Online Community Service for Mobility Device UsersWeDrive connects WHILL owners with people interested in trying mobility devices to independently set up test drives and share experiences in an authentic environment NSK and WHILL, Inc. Enter Capital Alliance Collaborating to Create a Market for Next-Generation Personal Electric VehiclesNSK Ltd. (NSK; Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan; President and CEO: Toshihiro Uchiyama) today announced that it has entered a capital alliance with WHILL, Inc. WHILL at 33rd International Seating Symposium (ISS)WHILL will be attending 33rd International Seating Symposium in Nashville, TN. WHILL Launches the Model M, a New Personal Electric Vehicle Redefining Mobility for Wheelchair UsersA CES 2017 Innovation Awards Honoree, the Model M features a distinctive and versatile design that enables a liberating lifestyle WHILL Announces “WHILL Rental” at CES 2017The Latest Commercial Launch of an Ongoing Intelligent Personal Mobility Rental Program WHILL at CES 2017WHILL is excited to announce that we will be at the CES 2017. The Model A is available to test drive at CES 2017 over steep inclines, rough terrain and tight turns. A special course will be set up at Tech West in the Sands Convention Center WHILL Model A wins DFA Design for Asia Awards 2016 Grand PrizeWHILL Model A has been awarded the DFA Design for Asia Awards 2016 in recognition of its design excellence by the international judging panel. WHILL is invited to accept this award and attend the DFA Awards Presentation Ceremony in Hong Kong on 30 November 2016. WHILL at the Abilities Expo DC Metro 2016WHILL is excited to announce that we will be attending the Abilities Expos all across the country including Abilities Expo DC Metro. CYBERDYNE, Inc. and WHILL, Inc. form comprehensive business and capital partnershipUtilizing innovative Cybernic technology to create and implement next generation mobility devices toward ”Zero Intensive Care Society” and “Society 5.0” WHILL at the Bay Area Abilities Expo 2016WHILL is excited to announce that we will be attending the Abilities Expos all across the country including Abilities Expo Bay Area. Stanford's “Ask Me about My Disability” EventWHILL will be attending Associated Students of Stanford University (ASSU) “Ask Me about My Disability!” event. Exhibiting at Medtrade, Nov. 1-3We'll be exhibiting at Medtrade 2016, booth #710. Stop by and experience the drive of a lifetime. WHILL Hiking ExcursionsLet’s explore L.A.’s amazing hiking trails in a powerful, 4WD wheelchair designed for every terrain. WHILL and 5D Robotics Collaborate to Accelerate Autonomous Personal Mobility DevelopmentWHILL, Inc. (WHILL) announced today its collaboration with 5D Robotics, Inc. (5D). 5D’s deep software talent and rapid development capabilities will help accelerate WHILL’s development of autonomous personal mobility technology for its flagship device, Model A. WHILL Announces “WHILL Rental” at CVG AirportWHILL, Inc. (WHILL) is excited to announce a new program with Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), WHILL Rental. WHILL Rental is a new category of service that will transform the airport experience by adding our next generation personal mobility device, WHILL Model A. WHILL Model A is an innovative, award-winning personal mobility device that’s easy for anyone to drive. WHILL Model A Makes Its Feature Film DebutWHILL Model A will be making its big screen debut this weekend as it is featured in the new Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice movie that comes out on March 25, 2016. The feature is directed by Zack Snyder and stars Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill and Amy Adams. WHILL Wins Pioneers Asia Startup Pitch CompetitionWHILL was selected as the winner of the Startup Pitch Competition out of 24 finalists from a total of 900 entries by companies at the series A/B stage with revenue. The Pioneers Asia competition is the largest startup event in Europe. The win will greatly benefit WHILL's effort to expand our business network in Europe. WHILL Receives FDA Clearance for Next-Generation WheelchairWHILL, Inc. (WHILL) today announced that it has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance on a new model that will be released in the coming months. WHILL Model A wins Good Design Award 2015 Grand PrizeWHILL Model A received the Good Design Award 2015 grand prize out of 1,258 participants. This is the third design award that WHILL has received since its founding, following the IDEA bronze award and the Red Dot honorable mention for product design.1st place – WHILL Model A (2,875 votes out of 9,167 total votes) WHILL exhibits PLAY! WHILL! concept at Tokyo Motor ShowWHILL is exhibiting their PLAY! WHILL! concept at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show.PLAY! WHILL! is an obstacle course set up at the WHILL booth so that visitors can experience the many features of Model A including: 3” obstacle clearance, 10º incline capability and multi-terrain coverage. The personal mobility device is enjoyable by everyone at the show. WHILL Selected as Winner of First CEA Foundation “Tech that Improves Lives” Video ContestOn October 14, 2015 The CEA Foundation announced the winners of its first ‘Technology That Improves Lives’ video contest. WHILL along with four other companies was selected from more than 20 entries by companies that create technology that has a positive impact on older adults and others who use assistive technology. As a winner, WHILL will receive $2,500 and a booth in Eureka Park during CES 2016. CVG Airport Pilots WHILLCVG, rated Best Regional Airport in North America for five straight years by SkyTrax, is the first airport in the United States to perform pilot testing using WHILL, Inc.’s next generation personal mobility vehicle. Testing parameters and commercial use opportunities will be evaluated over several weeks at CVG with airport staff. DOCOMO and WHILL Collaborate on Personal Vehicle Sharing SystemNTT DOCOMO, INC., a personalized mobile solutions provider for smarter living, and WHILL Inc., a next-generation personal vehicle developer, announced today they will integrate one of WHILL’s compact single-passenger electric vehicles and DOCOMO’s personal-vehicle-sharing system technologies to offer to local governments and enterprise customers in Japan. Personal Mobility Device Company WHILL Follows Tesla and Google to Transform the Way of Transportation Through Smartphone App IntegrationAs giants such as Tesla and Google are attempting to disrupt the transportation market with cloud service and autonomous driving on the road, WHILL is following their footsteps for mobility on the sidewalks. Scott McNealy is one of the investors for WHILL who believes there is a huge market for those who are challenged with mobility.