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Tokyo, Japan, April 12, 2017―Toyota Motor Corporation will launch a rental service for the Welwalk WW-1000 robot from the fall of 2017. The Welwalk WW-1000 is designed to aid in the rehabilitation of individuals with lower limb paralysis as a result of stroke and other causes.

The Welwalk WW-1000 comes with a range of rehabilitation support functions based on motor learning theory, including the ability to adjust the difficulty level to suit the patient, and to provide feedback about the patient’s gait characteristics. The robot’s simple construction and functions, such as easy fitting and central touch panel operation, ensure the ease of use in clinical settings.

Toyota began installing industrial robots in the 1980s, and since then has applied automobile production and developmental technologies to the advancements of Partner Robot technology, where the robots can be viewed as companions to provide support and to also co-exist with people.

In line with the vision of the Partner Robot technology, of “freedom of mobility for all, and the joy of self-reliance” as well as taking into consideration Japan’s growing aging population, Toyota is developing Partner Robot technologies that relates to the four main areas of Senior Life Support, Medical Support, Personal Life Support, and Welfare Support. The development will help to provide assistance to the elderly by enabling them to live more independent lives and to also provide support for their caregivers.

Development of rehabilitation robots in the field of Medical Support began at the end of 2007 with the collaboration with Fujita Health University Hospital in Toyoake, Aichi Prefecture. Since 2011, pilot testing has been conducted at the hospital’s medical facilities. Between 2014 and the end of March 2017, Walk Training Assist robots have been installed in 23 medical facilities throughout Japan for clinical research.

Feedback from patients and healthcare persons involved in the clinical research indicates that this robot has the potential to aid in lower limb recovery, and as a result, the use of the robot as a medical device has been officially approved and certified. Toyota hopes to rent 100 units of the Welwalk WW-1000 robots to medical facilities beginning in the fall of 2017.

Welwalk WW-1000

Welwalk WW-1000

Overview of the Welwalk WW-1000
Generic name Active extension, flexion and rotation movement device
Registered name Welwalk WW-1000
(Certified medical device number: 22800BZX00438000)
Composition
Main body
Overall system including treadmill and monitor
Robotic leg
Fitted onto individuals with lower limb paralysis to assist in knee bending and stretching movements
Welwalk WW-1000 main body Welwalk WW-1000 robotic leg
Features
  1. Rehabilitation support functions based on medical motor learning theory
    • Adjustable level of assist to suit the patient
      It allows for the support of a natural walking style from the start and ensures a certain level of exercise, which in turn also provides support for the caregiver.
    • Multiple types of feedback via monitor, voice, etc.
      The ability to confirm gait characteristics in real time and record objective quantitative data
  2. Ease of use in clinical settings
    • Simple construction and functions, including easy fitting and central touch panel operation
Size and weight
External dimensions
1,200 mm (width), 2,710 mm (depth), 2,380 mm (height)
Weight
approx. 800 kg (main body); approx. 6 kg (legs)
Suggested Rental Rates
Initial fee
JPY 1,000,000
Monthly fee
JPY 350,000
Details on the Rental System
  • Toyota will consign rental service planning and management to Good Life Design Inc., which will rent the robots to customers through four companies that will be in charge of renting the robot.
  • Toyota and Good Life Design Inc. will consign services such as robot set up and maintenance to Paratechno Co., Ltd.
Details on the Rental System

B-roll of rehabilitation-assist robot
*model used for testing

Partner Robot Press Briefing

Downloads (PDF)

  • Toward Life with Robots
    Toward Life with Robots
  • Introducing the Welwalk WW-1000 (Rehabilitation-assist Robot)
    Introducing the Welwalk WW-1000 (Rehabilitation-assist Robot)

Downloads (Images)

  • Welwalk WW-1000
    Welwalk WW-1000
  • Welwalk WW-1000 main body
    Welwalk WW-1000
    main body
  • Welwalk WW-1000 robotic leg
    Welwalk WW-1000
    robotic leg
  • Demonstration scene 1
    Demonstration scene 1
  • Demonstration scene 2
    Demonstration scene 2
  • Demonstration scene 3
    Demonstration scene 3

Source: http://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/en/detail/mail/15989382