Partner Robot Press Briefing
Esau Bay, managing director of Toyota Motor Corporation, outlines Toyota’s partner robot program and Welwalk WW-1000 rehabilitation services, joined by Partner Robot Division general manager Tamaki and Fujita Health University professor Saito.
In this talk
- 0:51
Why Toyota is developing partner robots
Bay connects Toyota’s robot work to mobility, independent living, and Japan’s aging population. He says the company aims to develop robots for senior life, medical, personal life, and welfare support, with a goal of helping older people and caregivers.
- 4:44
Robots in development and field trials
Toyota is testing the Winglet for personal mobility and developing the Human Support Robot for tasks such as retrieving objects. Its other projects include walking and balance training devices, patient transfer assistance, and conversation robots. The company says it works with care facilities, hospitals, universities, and other partners to refine the systems.
- 11:29
Welwalk’s design and rehabilitation approach
Tamaki describes Welwalk WW-1000, developed with Fujita Health University, as a treadmill system with a robotic leg that assists the affected knee after a stroke. Sensors guide support during standing and walking, while therapists can adjust weight support and leg assistance as patients improve. Video, sound cues, and session data help patients and clinicians monitor gait and adapt training.
- 20:06
Clinical experience and planned rental service
Professor Saito presents a case in which a stroke patient progressed from taking a few steps with a long brace to walking more independently after weeks of robot-assisted training; her walking speed doubled between the first and fifth weeks shown. Toyota said Welwalk had been approved as a medical device and planned to offer about 100 units to Japanese medical institutions in three years. The announced monthly rental fee was ¥350,000, plus an initial ¥1 million, with orders expected in May and deliveries in September.
- 34:42
Demonstration of a training session
The demonstration shows a user wearing the robotic leg, with a therapist controlling the system from a handheld panel. Adjustable knee support helps with standing and walking, and can be reduced as the patient gains strength. Screens and audio cues provide feedback on posture, knee movement, and weight placed on the affected foot.
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