Sumitomo Rubber Industries Co., Ltd. ("Sumitomo Rubber"), headquartered in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, and Toray Co., Ltd. (Toray), headquartered in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan, have signed a joint development contract to jointly develop the next generation of portable wheelchair ramps. Under the terms of the contract, the two companies will contribute to solving problems in the care environment by combining technical capabilities and expertise to improve safer and more comfortable performance and maintainability.
In an aging society, the number of elderly people over the age of 65 providing care for their parents and spouses is increasing year by year, and it has become a top priority to reduce the burden of care. Sumitomo Rubber developed the Danthrop Air 2 using carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) developed by Toray Corporation. While ensuring rigidity and strength, this is also the first time in the industry that a portable wheelchair ramp has a hollow structure, making it the industry's lightest JIS-certified portable wheelchair ramp that is not only portable and easy to use, but also reduces the impact force of the wheelchair when driving on slopes.
轮椅可移动坡道"Dan Slope Air 2"
With the signing of this joint development agreement, the two companies will share design and development goals from the early stage of development concept planning, and quickly develop and deliver high-performance CFRP material ramps to customers by selecting the most suitable materials, performing shape and design simulation analysis, and conducting prototype production and evaluation.
Sumitomo Rubber has developed GREAT CARE Technology that takes into account not only wheelchair users but also caregivers while taking into account the needs of customers by taking into account the needs of customers by further improving the lightweight and durability of products.
At the same time, Toray Corporation, as a pioneer in the field of carbon fiber, has been working on the technological innovation of carbon fiber "Torayka®" for half a century. In addition, the company will continue to expand the market for carbon fiber products through the development of CAE analysis technology and molding technology, and in this joint development project, Toray will support the development of Sumitomo rubber products by selecting optimal materials, simulating shapes and designs, and prototyping and evaluation. The two companies will leverage their respective technologies, knowledge and strengths to develop better products.
In addition, leveraging the technology and know-how developed by both companies in the development of portable wheelchair ramps, the two companies will also work on the development of logistics trolley ramps to meet the growing demand for efficient and fast loading and unloading operations in the workforce.
Sumitomo Rubber signed a joint development agreement with Toray Corporation
About Sumitomo Rubber Corporation
Sumitomo Rubber Industries Co., Ltd. is the world's fifth-largest tire company, founded in 1909 and headquartered in Kobe, Japan. It has production bases in Japan, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, and its main products include automotive products, sporting goods, and industrial goods.
In 2002, Sumitomo Rubber invested in Changshu, Jiangsu Province, and set up China's first tire factory, and with the popularization of the automobile society, the tire performance developed rapidly, and then in 2010, it was located in Changsha, Hunan Province, and established the second tire factory in China. In 2010, Sumitomo Rubber (China) Co., Ltd. was established to manage the tire business in China.