WHILL, Inc.

WHILL, Inc., established in 2012 by former Nissan, Toyota, and Sony engineers Satoshi Sugie, Junpei Naito, and Muneaki Fukuoka, designs and manufactures electric personal mobility devices. The company was born from the simple yet powerful statement of a wheelchair user: "I've given up on even going to the grocery store just two blocks away." This spurred the founders to leverage their automotive and tech design expertise to create a more empowering and capable mobility solution.

The company's core offerings are the Model C2 and Model F, both of which are FDA-cleared personal electric vehicles. These devices are engineered to be more versatile than traditional power wheelchairs, featuring patented omni-directional front wheels that allow for a tight turning radius and the ability to navigate a variety of terrains, both indoors and outdoors. The Model C2 is designed for enhanced performance and comfort, while the Model F is a lightweight, foldable model intended for easy transport in cars, trains, or planes, addressing a key logistical challenge for active users.

WHILL operates on a direct-to-consumer and a business-to-business sales model, distributing its products through a network of providers and directly via its website. The company targets a broad market of individuals with mobility limitations who seek greater independence and an active lifestyle. Beyond individual sales, WHILL has expanded its business into Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) by providing fleets of its devices to airports, hospitals, and large venues. This service allows patrons to autonomously navigate these large spaces, improving accessibility and operational efficiency for the venue operators.

A significant milestone in the company's journey was the acquisition of Scootaround, a major provider of mobility equipment rentals, in 2018. This strategic move expanded WHILL's reach and service offerings across North America. The company has also secured substantial funding over the years, including a $45 million round in 2018, to fuel its global expansion and research and development efforts.

Keywords: personal mobility, electric vehicles, accessibility, mobility-as-a-service, assistive technology, omni-directional wheels, foldable scooter, medical devices, independent living, direct-to-consumer