WHILL
WHILL develops intelligent personal electric vehicles—power chairs and mobility scooters with proprietary omni-wheel technology—and operates an autonomous mobility-as-a-service fleet deployed at 25 airports globally, serving consumers with mobility needs, airport operators, and government healthcare buyers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What WHILL does
WHILL, founded in 2012 in Tokyo by former Nissan, Sony, and Olympus engineers (Satoshi Sugie, Muneaki Fukuoka, Jun Naito) and headquartered in Yokohama, develops intelligent personal electric vehicles (PEVs) and an autonomous mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) platform. Its consumer hardware portfolio comprises five core products: Model C2 and Model C2 High Back portable power chairs, the foldable Model F, and Model R mobility scooters in 3- and 4-wheel variants. All devices feature WHILL's patented omni-directional front wheels enabling lateral, diagonal, and in-place rotation movement, along with Bluetooth and GPS connectivity, smartphone app integration, and the IntelliCare fleet management platform. The company's commercial offering is split between hardware sales (direct-to-consumer e-commerce, hundreds of mobility equipment retail stores in North America, and the exclusive National Seating & Mobility channel for the FDA-cleared Model M) and the Autonomous Service, a fleet of self-driving power chairs deployed at 25 airports and facilities worldwide, including Heathrow, Munich, Paris-Orly, Haneda, Toronto Pearson, and Anchorage, with over 700,000 cumulative rides. Revenue is generated through hardware sales, short-term rentals via the Scootaround Powered by WHILL partnership (11 new U.S. cities and 7 cruise lines by Q1 2026), government procurement (U.S. VA FSS contract), and enterprise venue partnerships with airports and cruise operators. The company has raised approximately $80M in total funding across seed, Series A/B, and corporate rounds from investors including Woven Capital (Toyota), SBI Investment, Daiwa, INCJ, NTT DOCOMO Ventures, Tokio Marine, and JA Mitsui Lease, and employs 251-500 staff across Japan, the U.S. (San Francisco Bay Area and Orlando), Taiwan, and Europe.
WHILL firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- WHILL
- Legal name
- WHILL Inc.
- Website
- https://whill.inc
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- WHILL develops intelligent personal electric vehicles—power chairs and mobility scooters with proprietary omni-wheel technology—and operates an autonomous mobility-as-a-service fleet deployed at 25 airports globally, serving consumers with mobility needs, airport operators, and government healthcare buyers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
WHILL industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Personal Electric Mobility Vehicles
- NAICS
- Motor Vehicle Electrical and Electronic Equipment Manufacturing (336320)
- SIC
- Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845)
- akta.pro primary industry
- E-scooters & E-mopeds Manufacturing (IMACAOAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Personal Electric Transporters (Segways & similar) (CRACASAF)
Keywords
Where WHILL is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices5 records
Markets served
WHILL business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations
Revenue model
- Product Sales - Power Chairs & Scooters: WHILL generates revenue through direct sales of its electric wheelchairs (Model C2, Model C2 High Back, Model F) and mobility scooters (Model R 3-Wheel, Model R 4-Wheel) to consumers and healthcare providers. Products range from portable electric wheelchairs to folding designs and mobility scooters.
- Autonomous Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS): WHILL operates its Autonomous Service deploying self-driving power chairs at airports and large venues globally. The service provides rental mobility solutions with maintenance and insurance options through the WHILL Mobility Service platform, generating recurring service revenue from venue partnerships.
- Short-term Rentals: WHILL provides short-term rental services for travelers at airports, cruise lines, and events. Partnership with Scootaround enables rental operations across approximately 150 locations in Japan and expanding to 11 new U.S. cities including major airports.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Power chair and mobility scooter product line with varying features and portability |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
WHILL product offering
Product offeringCore offering
WHILL designs, manufactures, and sells intelligent personal electric vehicles, including power chairs (Model C2, Model C2 High Back, Model F) and mobility scooters (Model R 3-Wheel and Model R 4-Wheel) for individual consumers. The company also operates the WHILL Autonomous Service, deploying self-driving mobility devices at airports and large venues worldwide, and the WHILL Mobility Service rental platform across approximately 150 locations in Japan.
Product overview
WHILL offers a portfolio of personal electric mobility devices comprising five consumer products—Model C2, Model C2 High Back, Model F power chairs and Model R 3-Wheel, Model R 4-Wheel mobility scooters—plus an Autonomous Service fleet of self-driving vehicles deployed at airports and large venues. The company also operates the WHILL Mobility Service rental platform. All devices feature proprietary omni-wheel technology, smartphone app integration via Bluetooth and mobile data, and GPS connectivity. The Autonomous Service represents a separate MaaS (Mobility-as-a-Service) business line utilizing autonomous driving technology.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- WHILL Autonomous Service: Self-driving mobility devices deployed at airports and public spaces for passenger assistance
- WHILL Mobility Service
- Scootaround Powered by WHILL
- WHILL Model C2
- WHILL Model F
- WHILL Model R
Products and services
- WHILL Model C2 Portable electric wheelchair with patented omni-wheels enabling smooth multi-directional movement (lateral, diagonal, rotation in place). Compact design with adjustable seating, armrests, and smartphone app connectivity via Bluetooth. Designed for individual users seeking premium, stylish mobility.
- WHILL Model C2 High Back Enhanced version of the Model C2 with additional back support for improved posture and comfort during extended use.
- WHILL Model F Folding electric wheelchair designed for portability and easy transport. Features stability-focused design for everyday life and travel with an easy fold mechanism.
- WHILL Model R 4-Wheel 4-wheel mobility scooter with larger batteries for longer distances and enhanced outdoor terrain capability. Sleek, powerful, and stable design.
- WHILL Model R 3-Wheel 3-wheel mobility scooter offering maneuverability and comfort for outdoor travel with robust battery life and terrain handling.
- WHILL Autonomous Service Self-driving autonomous mobility service deploying autonomous wheelchairs at airports and large venues. Passengers summon vehicles via smartphone app; vehicles navigate autonomously with auto-stop collision avoidance. Operates at 25+ airports and facilities worldwide including Heathrow, Munich, Paris-Orly, and Haneda.
- WHILL Mobility Service Rental service platform for WHILL mobility devices. Operates at approximately 150 locations across Japan, offering rental services with maintenance and insurance options.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 700,000 autonomous rides completed worldwide
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use WHILL
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
WHILL technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability2 records
Feature6 records
WHILL partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- NANA Management Services (NMS) / Alaska AirlinescoreWHILL Autonomous Service expanded to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport through partnership with NMS and Alaska Airlines, enhancing accessibility for Alaska Airlines passengers.
- Groupe ADP / GSF Smile & FlycoreWHILL Autonomous Service launched at Paris-Orly Airport through partnership with Groupe ADP and GSF Smile & Fly. Autonomous wheelchairs integrated into airport's mobility assistance services.
- BirdminorBird partnered with WHILL to launch accessible electric vehicle rentals pilot program in NYC, integrating WHILL's Model C2 into Bird's micromobility offerings.
- ScootaroundcoreWHILL and Scootaround teamed up to offer Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) model for large venues and urban transportation worldwide. Scootaround provides device rental, repair and service platform. Partnership expanded to 11 new U.S. cities and 7 cruise lines by Q1 2026.
- National Seating & Mobility (NSM)coreNSM became exclusive national distributor of WHILL's FDA-cleared Model M power wheelchair in the U.S. NSM's national distribution channel and clinical field team provide product evaluations and service nationwide.
- NSK Ltd.minorNSK and WHILL entered capital alliance to create market for next-generation personal electric vehicles. NSK provides reliable, smooth-rotating bearings for use in WHILL's patented Omni-wheels to enable lightweight movement.
- CYBERDYNEminorCYBERDYNE and WHILL formed comprehensive business and capital partnership utilizing innovative Cybernic technology to create next-generation mobility devices toward 'Zero Intensive Care Society' and 'Society 5.0'.
- CVG AirportminorCVG Airport partnered with WHILL for innovative mobility solutions, becoming first U.S. airport to test WHILL's personal mobility vehicle for enhanced passenger experience.
- NTT DOCOMOcoreNTT DOCOMO and WHILL collaborated on personal vehicle sharing system, integrating WHILL's compact single-passenger electric vehicles with DOCOMO's wireless communication, GPS, and remote control technologies for shared vehicle management.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights6 records
WHILL competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Permobil: Permobil is a leading global manufacturer of power wheelchairs, including complex rehab and pediatric power chairs, directly competing with WHILL in the premium electric mobility category for users with mobility impairments.
- Pride Mobility Products / Quantum Rehab: Pride Mobility and its Quantum Rehab division manufacture a broad portfolio of power wheelchairs and mobility scooters, overlapping directly with WHILL's Model C2, Model F, and Model R product lines in both consumer and clinical channels.
- Invacare: Invacare produces power wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and related medical equipment, competing with WHILL especially in the FDA-cleared, reimbursed clinical and rehabilitation channel WHILL exited with the Model M discontinuation.
Broad incumbents
- Ottobock: Ottobock is a global medtech incumbent offering wheelchairs, prosthetics, and rehabilitation products; while broader in portfolio, it competes with WHILL in premium mobility solutions for clinical and consumer markets.
- Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare: Drive DeVilbiss manufactures a wide range of mobility products including power wheelchairs, scooters, and rollators, competing with WHILL's consumer mobility line through mass retail and DME distribution channels.
Emerging players
- Segway-Ninebot: Segway-Ninebot produces personal electric transporters, e-scooters, and self-balancing vehicles with overlapping technology (sensors, autonomy, app connectivity) and consumer brand positioning in the personal electric mobility category.
- Scewo: Scewo is a Swiss startup developing advanced power wheelchairs (including the stair-climbing Scewo BRO) with technology similar in spirit to WHILL's premium electric mobility positioning and growing autonomous capabilities.
- Matia Robotics: Matia Robotics produces the Tek RMD, a self-balancing mobility device for users with lower-limb disabilities, sharing WHILL's positioning of mobility as a tech-forward, design-led personal electric vehicle rather than a stigmatized medical device.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
WHILL social profiles
Digital presenceWHILL compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
WHILL financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
WHILL leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
WHILL funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds15 records
Investors39 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
WHILL M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about WHILL
What does WHILL do?
WHILL designs, manufactures, and sells intelligent personal electric vehicles, including power chairs (Model C2, Model C2 High Back, Model F) and mobility scooters (Model R 3-Wheel and Model R 4-Wheel) for individual consumers. The company also operates the WHILL Autonomous Service, deploying self-driving mobility devices at airports and large venues worldwide, and the WHILL Mobility Service rental platform across approximately 150 locations in Japan.
Is WHILL a public or private company?
WHILL is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was WHILL founded?
WHILL was founded in 2012. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is WHILL based?
WHILL is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does WHILL make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Product Sales - Power Chairs & Scooters are the primary driver. The others are autonomous Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) and short-term Rentals.
Who are WHILL's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Permobil, Pride Mobility Products / Quantum Rehab and Invacare. Broad incumbents are Ottobock and Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare. Emerging players are Segway-Ninebot, Scewo and Matia Robotics.
Does WHILL have an API?
No public API is recorded for WHILL.
What industry is WHILL in?
WHILL's product category is Personal Electric Mobility Vehicles. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACAOAB, E-scooters & E-mopeds Manufacturing, with a secondary code of CRACASAF, Personal Electric Transporters (Segways & similar). Its NAICS code is 336320 and its SIC code is 3845.