About the Team
Team WPAL participated in the Global Innovation Challenge 2025 Assistive Robot Contest.
This marks their fourth participation, following GIC2021, GIC2023, and GIC2024.
Team WPAL is a Japan-based team centered around Fujita Health University.
The robot used, WPAL (Wearable Power-Assist Locomotor), was jointly developed by Fujita Health University and Tomei Brace Co., Ltd.
The robot is approximately 100 cm in height, weighs about 13 kg, and is capable of walking at a maximum speed of 1.3 km/h.
It is operated using switches mounted on a walker.
A key feature of WPAL is that the actuators are positioned on the inner sides of the pilot’s lower limbs, providing a highly stable structure against lateral sway.
In addition, because the controller and battery are mounted on the walker, the device worn by the pilot is lightweight and simple in design.
Another notable feature is that WPAL can be doned while the pilot remains seated in a wheelchair.
In GIC2025, the team challenged Task 2, “Preparation.”
The pilot is Ms. Chika Masuda.
In 2019, she developed an illness that resulted in paralysis below the sixth thoracic vertebra, and she currently uses a wheelchair.
Among all participants to date, she has the highest level of paralysis, making the required movements particularly challenging.
Despite these difficulties, she took on Task 2, “Preparation,” and successfully completed the task.
This achievement demonstrated that WPAL is practical and effective even for users with a high level of paralysis.
