Power Assist International

What Power Assist International does

Power Assist International Corporation (パワーアシストインターナショナル株式会社) is a Japanese robotics company founded in March 2015 as a Wakayama University spin-off venture, headquartered in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. The company designs, manufactures, and sells motor-type power assist suits that reduce lower-back strain during lifting, lowering, crouching, and walking tasks across physically demanding industries including agriculture, logistics, construction, manufacturing, and elderly care. Its technology centers on electric-motor-driven active assistance with motion sensors that detect user movement and deliver 10-15kg equivalent lifting support with no-delay response, distinguishing it from passive spring-based competing systems.

The company sells two flagship products: the PAIS-M100 (4.7kg, four-function multi-purpose suit at 1,320,000 JPY ex-tax) launched in October 2018, and the PAIS-N100 (2.9kg, lightweight compact suit at 720,000 JPY ex-tax) launched in July 2025. Revenue is generated through three channels: outright hardware sales, monthly rentals (approximately 50,000-92,000 JPY/month ex-tax), and 5-year leases with maintenance (approximately 14,400-26,400 JPY/month ex-tax). Pricing is materially offset for end customers by three Japanese government subsidy programs covering one-half to three-quarters of acquisition cost (labor-saving investment subsidy, care technology support subsidy, and age-friendly subsidy).

Go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales, dealer/sales agent channels, distribution through the Japan Agricultural Cooperatives (JA) network, event-based demonstrations at agricultural fairs, construction expos, and robot exhibitions, and earned media via NHK, Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Mainichi Broadcasting, and endorsements from MAFF, MLIT, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Named enterprise customers include Kajima Corporation (鹿島建設), Mitsui Chemicals (三井化学), and JA Wakayama (JAわかやま). The company operates with 11-50 employees, has no disclosed external funding, no subsidiaries, and no M&A activity, and remains privately held under founder and Representative Director Eiichi Yagi.

Name

Power Assist International

Legal name

Power Assist International Corporation

Website

https://pai.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Power Assist International Corporation is a Wakayama University spin-off (founded March 2015) that develops and sells motorized power assist suits (PAIS-M100 and PAIS-N100) to reduce physical strain in agriculture, logistics, construction, manufacturing, and eldercare across Japan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Wearable Robotics / Powered Exoskeletons

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)

SIC

Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845), Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842)

akta.pro primary industry

Healthcare & Assistive Robotics (HDAAAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Prosthetic Components & Rehabilitation Accessories (Liners, Feet, Knees, Sockets) (HLAHAMAD), Assistive Technology, Adaptive Equipment & Home Exercise Program Training In-Home (HSABADAN), Protective & Work Accessories Manufacturing (Safety Gloves/Hi-Vis Accessories) (IMAOAFAH)

Keywords

• Power assist suits
• Industrial exoskeletons
• Wearable robotics
• Agricultural equipment
• Worker assist devices

Headquarters

HQ city

Wakayama

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Power Assist Suit Sales: Direct sales of PAIS-M100 and PAIS-N100 power assist suits to businesses and individuals. PAIS-M100 priced at 1.32 million JPY (excl. tax), PAIS-N100 at 720,000 JPY (excl. tax). Additional accessories include spare batteries and air conditioning fans.
2. Rental Program: Monthly rental options for power assist suits. PAIS-N100 approximately 50,000 JPY/month (excl. tax) for one-month rental. PAIS-M100 approximately 92,000 JPY/month (excl. tax) for one-month rental.
3. Lease Program: 5-year lease program with maintenance included. PAIS-N100 approximately 14,400 JPY/month (excl. tax). PAIS-M100 approximately 26,400 JPY/month (excl. tax).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Power Assist International designs, develops, manufactures, and sells motor-type power assist suits (wearable exoskeletons) that use electric motors and motion sensors to reduce physical strain on the lower back during lifting, lowering, crouching, and walking tasks. Its two flagship products are the PAIS-M100 multi-function suit (4.7kg) and the PAIS-N100 lightweight compact suit (2.9kg), offered for outright purchase, monthly rental, or 5-year lease with maintenance. The suits are sold to enterprises and individuals across agriculture, logistics, construction, factory/manufacturing, and elderly care sectors in Japan.

Product overview

Power Assist International offers a portfolio of motor-type power assist suits designed to reduce physical strain during lifting, lowering, mid-crouch work, and walking. The flagship PAIS-M100 is a multi-functional model (4.7kg) providing four assistance functions for agriculture, construction, logistics, and nursing care. The newer PAIS-N100 is a lightweight compact model (2.9kg) launched in July 2025, focusing on core lifting and posture assistance for construction, factory, agriculture, and nursing applications. Both products use electric motors with motion sensors for responsive assistance, and are available for purchase, rental, or 5-year lease.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PAIS-M100 Multi-Function Power Assist Suit A 4.7kg lightweight, compact, motor-type power assist suit designed for agriculture, construction, logistics, and nursing care. Uses an electric motor and motion sensors to provide four integrated assist functions: lifting assistance equivalent to 10-15kg, lowering brake assistance, mid-crouch posture holding, and walking assistance on slopes and stairs. Sits on the waist like a backpack with one-touch attachment.
• PAIS-N100 Lightweight Power Assist Suit A 2.9kg ultra-lightweight, compact, motor-type power assist suit designed for construction, factory, agriculture, and nursing care. Provides lifting assistance equivalent to 10-15kg and mid-crouch posture holding assistance through an electric motor with responsive motion sensors, worn backpack-style on the waist.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduces waist strain equivalent to 10-15kg lifting assistance
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum / AMO (Rem Koolhaas)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2020Power assist suits were exhibited at the Guggenheim Museum's 'Countryside, The Future' exhibition from February 2020 to February 2021. The exhibition, curated by AMO (Rem Koolhaas's think tank), featured the suits as examples of technology supporting Japan's aging rural communities. This provided significant international cultural recognition.
• G20 Osaka Summit Organizing CommitteeflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2019Power assist suits were displayed at the G20 Osaka Welcome Reception in June 2019. European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde and other dignitaries tried on the suits. This high-profile event provided significant international visibility and credibility for the company.
• G7 Agriculture Ministers MeetingflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2016Power assist suits were demonstrated at the G7 Agriculture Ministers Meeting held in Niigata in April 2016, showcasing agricultural applications of the technology to international government officials.
• Wakayama University (和歌山大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2015Wakayama University is the founding origin of Power Assist International. The company was established as a university spin-off venture in March 2015 based on research conducted at Wakayama University. The representative, Yatsugi Eiichi, served as a professor at Wakayama University's Department of Systems Engineering from 2005-2014, developing power assist suit technology. The company maintains a research laboratory in the university's Innovation Center building. Research support was received from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (2010-2015) and Wakayama Prefecture (2016-2018).
• Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (農林水産省)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries provided research support for agricultural power assist suits (2010-2015) and featured the technology in their 'aff' visual publication. Power assist suits are featured on the MAFF YouTube channel. The company participates in MAFF-organized matching meetings.
• Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (国土交通省)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMLIT has conducted pilot tests and validation studies for power assist suits in construction applications. The company participated in MLIT's construction implementation trials, and demonstrations were conducted at regional MLIT offices including Kansai and Shikoku branches.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外務省)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' 'Web Japan' website in the 'Support Wear for Work' section in 2024. Previously featured in 'Japan Video Topics' in 2014, providing international PR support.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ReWalk Robotics: Israel/US-based developer of powered exoskeletons (ReWalk Personal 6.0) for individuals with spinal cord injury and stroke rehabilitation. Comparable wearable powered-assist technology though primarily focused on clinical/mobility-impaired end users.
• Cyberdyne: Japan-based developer of the HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb) wearable cyborg suit for medical, welfare, and industrial use. Closest direct peer with the most established brand in Japan's powered exoskeleton category, competing head-to-head with Power Assist International in eldercare, industrial, and labor-saving applications.
• Ekso Bionics: US-based developer of powered exoskeletons (EksoNR, Ekso Indego) for medical rehabilitation and industrial applications. Comparable in offering wearable powered-assist devices for reducing physical strain and aiding mobility, though more weighted to clinical use cases.
• Innophys: Tokyo-based maker of the Muscle Suit, a pneumatic-powered wearable assistive device for caregivers, agriculture, and logistics workers. Competes directly in the same Japanese labor-savings and eldercare verticals using a different (pneumatic) actuation technology.
• ATOUN: Japan-based powered-wear developer (backed by Panasonic) producing the ATOUN MODEL Y and MODEL A assistive suits for back, shoulder, and arm support in logistics, manufacturing, and construction. Directly comparable product line and Japanese customer base.

Emerging players

• German Bionic: Germany-based developer of the Cray X connected exoskeleton for industrial workers in logistics, manufacturing, and construction. Comparable active-powered wearable suit targeting similar labor-scarce verticals, though focused on European industrial customers rather than Japan.
• Sarcos Technology and Robotics: US-based developer of industrial wearable robots including the Guardian XO upper-body exoskeleton. Competes in powered industrial lift-assist suits for material handling, with comparable technology but a heavier, more industrial form factor.

Regional players

• ULS Robotics: Shanghai-based developer of lower-limb and full-body exoskeleton robots for industrial, medical, and military applications. Comparable powered exoskeleton technology and product category, but primarily serving the China market rather than Japan.

Others

• Doosan Robotics: South Korea-based collaborative robot maker that has expanded into wearable robotics. Relevant as a broader Asian industrial robotics player with adjacent assistive and labor-saving technology development, though not a direct powered-suit competitor today.

Broad incumbents

• Ottobock: Germany-based global leader in prosthetics, orthotics, and exoskeleton technology (Paexo industrial exoskeletons). Comparable in serving rehabilitation and labor-saving applications with wearable assistive devices, though as a much larger diversified medical device incumbent.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Power Assist International