Qolo

What Qolo does

Qolo Inc. is a University of Tsukuba spin-off founded on April 26, 2021, headquartered in Tsukuba, Ibaraki, with a branch in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture. The company designs, develops, and manufactures assistive devices that enable wheelchair users and people with lower limb paralysis to stand up and sit down using a passive spring-based mechanism combined with the user's own balance and body weight, without relying on electric power for the standing motion. Its core commercial product, the Qolo T standing training machine, is a non-medical device priced at 3,000,000 yen (3,300,000 yen including tax) with a mandatory 5-year maintenance contract at 10,000 yen per month, and a 5-year lease option at approximately 60,000 yen per month. The Qolo T is sold through a direct enterprise sales process (online briefing, on-site demonstration, 1-month free trial loan, then purchase or lease) to medical institutions and welfare facilities in Japan, primarily the Kanto region and Fukushima Prefecture. As of January 2026 the product had been installed in 20+ facilities and used by 137+ users for a total of 26,660+ standing repetitions. Qolo also plans to launch the Qolo M standing mobility model (developed under Honda's IGNITION program) targeted at fiscal year 2026, expanding into personal mobility, employment support, and entertainment venue use cases.

Revenue mechanics combine one-time hardware sales, multi-year recurring maintenance contracts, and lease payments, supplemented by multiple Japanese government grants (NEDO, AMED, Fukushima Prefecture, METI-related) and equity capital from DEFTA Partners via a 60 million yen seed round in August 2021 and a 50 million yen convertible note in September 2023 (total approximately 110 million yen raised; registered capital 76 million yen). Customer segments are hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and welfare facilities for the Qolo T, with planned expansion to wheelchair users, employers, and entertainment venues for the Qolo M. The company operates with a small team (1-10 employees) and is led by Representative Director Yosuke Eguchi, supported by medical, academic, and AI/research advisors from the University of Tsukuba and ETH Zurich. Distribution is direct and Japan-only, with explicit allocation of 2023 capital toward overseas expansion market research.

Name

Qolo

Legal name

Qolo株式会社

Website

https://qolo.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Qolo Inc. is a University of Tsukuba spin-off that designs and sells spring-based assistive devices enabling wheelchair users to stand up and sit down using their own balance. Its commercial product, the Qolo T standing training machine, is sold to hospitals and rehabilitation facilities in Japan, with the Qolo M standing mobility model in development for 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medical Rehabilitation Equipment

NAICS

Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing (3391)

SIC

Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842)

akta.pro primary industry

Rehabilitation Therapy Equipment (PT/OT Modalities, Exercise & Balance Devices) (HLAHAMAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mobility Aids (Wheelchairs, Scooters, Walkers, Canes) (HLAHAMAA), Assistive Technology, Adaptive Equipment & Home Exercise Program Training In-Home (HSABADAN)

Keywords

• Rehabilitation equipment
• Standing training machines
• Assistive mobility devices
• Medical welfare technology
• Passive standing mechanisms

Headquarters

HQ city

Tsukuba

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Operations

Revenue model

1. Qolo T Sales (One-time Purchase): Qolo T is sold as a one-time capital purchase at a price of 3,000,000 yen (3,300,000 yen including tax), with an expected useful life of 5 years. This is the primary revenue stream from the commercially launched rehabilitation training machine.
2. Qolo T Lease/Rental: The Qolo T is also available through a 5-year lease program at approximately 60,000 yen/month (approximately 66,000 yen/month including tax), providing an alternative to outright purchase for facilities with capital budget constraints.
3. Qolo T Maintenance Contract: A 5-year maintenance contract is required with the purchase, priced at 10,000 yen/month (excluding tax) or 600,000 yen (excluding tax) as a one-time payment, ensuring parts replacement and safety maintenance over the product's useful life.
4. Mobility Model (Development Stage): The Qolo M mobility model is currently in development with productization targeted for fiscal year 2026. Revenue model for this product line has not yet been disclosed.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Qolo Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells specialized rehabilitation and assistive mobility equipment for wheelchair users and patients with lower limb motor dysfunction. Its flagship Qolo T standing training machine uses a proprietary passive spring-based mechanism that enables users to stand and sit using their own body balance, and is sold or leased to hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and welfare facilities in Japan. The company is also developing the Qolo M mobility model — a standing mobility wheelchair — for productization targeted in fiscal year 2026.

Product overview

Qolo Inc. offers two main product lines: (1) Qolo T, a standing training machine (non-medical device) that assists users in performing standing movements using spring force, used in medical and welfare facilities for rehabilitation training; and (2) Qolo M, a standing mobility model in development that enables wheelchair users to stand and move around for daily activities and work. The company also provides sample programs to hospitals and facilities, with data collection capabilities via tablet for rehabilitation outcome tracking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Qolo T: Standing training machine (起立訓練機) - non-medical device product for rehabilitation training assistance using spring mechanism. Sales started December 2025.
• Qolo M

Products and services

• Qolo T Standing Training Machine (起立訓練機Qolo T) A non-medical standing training machine that assists users with lower limb motor dysfunction in performing standing movements using a proprietary passive spring-based mechanism. Features adjustable assist levels matched to the user's muscle strength, integrated tablet-based data collection for rehabilitation outcome tracking, and supports users with height 145–190 cm and weight 40–100 kg. Sold or leased to hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and welfare facilities in Japan for repeated standing rehabilitation training, with a 5-year maintenance contract required as a condition of purchase.
• Qolo M Mobility Model (モビリティモデル) A standing mobility wheelchair under development for fiscal year 2026 commercialization, designed to allow wheelchair users to stand up and move around in daily life, work, and entertainment settings. Compliant with electric wheelchair specifications, with quick standing-up motion and indoor maneuverability, developed in collaboration with Honda via the IGNITION program.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Honda (Honda Motor Co., Ltd. / 本田技研工業株式会社)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 April 2024Qolo was selected as a support recipient in Honda's IGNITION program (first open public call for applications), with its proposal for a mobility device enabling quick standing and standing travel for people with lower limb motor dysfunction. Honda's task force team provides support in business development, design, and engineering. Qolo's mobility model was showcased at Honda's booth at Japan Mobility Show Bizweek 2024.
• Yokoo Co., Ltd. (株式会社ヨコオ)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 April 2023Qolo conducted a demonstration experiment on the use of its mobility equipment for employment purposes in collaboration with Yokoo Co., Ltd. This was introduced as part of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's 'Value Creation Challenge Initiative for Mid-tier Enterprises and Startups' program.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Permobil: Permobil is a global incumbent in advanced power wheelchairs and mobility devices, including standing-power-wheelchair models. Qolo M competes with Permobil's standing wheelchair offerings, though Permobil serves a much broader portfolio of mobility and seating solutions.
• Ottobock: Ottobock is a global leader in prosthetics, orthotics, and mobility solutions including standing devices and rehabilitation equipment. Comparable end users (people with mobility impairments, hospitals, rehab clinics) and overlapping product categories (orthotics, standing frames), though at much larger scale and broader portfolio than Qolo.

Direct peers

• Hocoma: Hocoma is a Swiss-based leader in robotic and sensor-based rehabilitation devices (Lokomat, Armeo, Erigo) used in hospitals and clinics. Like Qolo T, Hocoma targets physical therapy and neurorehabilitation markets with equipment that assists patient movement, though it focuses on robotic/electromechanical solutions versus Qolo's passive spring approach.
• Ekso Bionics: Ekso Bionics makes robotic exoskeletons for medical rehabilitation and standing/walking assistance for stroke and spinal cord injury patients. Directly comparable technology category (powered standing/walking) and end customer (hospitals, rehab centers) as Qolo.
• ReWalk Robotics: ReWalk develops wearable exoskeletons that enable individuals with spinal cord injuries to stand and walk. Qolo's standing-assist technology and ReWalk's powered exoskeleton both target the same core user (lower-limb paralysis) and clinical use case of enabling upright posture and ambulation.

Emerging players

• Archelis: Archelis is a Japanese startup developing a wearable chair that enables standing-sitting postures for workers. Comparable technology angle (passive wearable support for standing) and Japanese startup origin, though targeted at workplace fatigue reduction rather than rehabilitation.
• WHILL: WHILL is a Japanese startup developing personal electric mobility devices for wheelchair users and elderly populations. Comparable Japanese market, similar target user (wheelchair users seeking greater mobility and social participation), and adjacent product category to Qolo M's mobility model.

Regional players

• CYBERDYNE: CYBERDYNE is a Japanese robotics company best known for the HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb) exoskeleton used in hospitals for rehabilitation of stroke and spinal cord injury patients. Comparable Japanese hospital rehabilitation market and overlap with Qolo on lower-limb motor dysfunction patients, though using powered robotic exoskeleton technology.
• OG Wellness Technologies: OG Wellness is a Japanese manufacturer of physical therapy and rehabilitation equipment (treatment tables, traction devices, exercise equipment). Direct competitor in the Japanese hospital rehabilitation equipment market and directly comparable customer segment as Qolo T.

Others

• Honda Motor (Mobility Innovations): Honda is both a strategic partner (via IGNITION program) and a comparable large mobility player exploring standing/UNI-CUB personal mobility devices for people with mobility limitations. Included as the company's most important strategic partner and a reference point for incumbent mobility approaches Qolo M aims to disrupt.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/qolojp

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Qolo