PDF

Suzuki Accelerates Electric Mobility Business
by Strengthening Partnership with RT.WORKS

- Acquires All Shares to Unite and Contribute to
Customers’ Freedom of Movement -

Suzuki Motor Corporation (Headquarters: Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Toshihiro Suzuki; hereinafter “Suzuki”) has acquired all shares of RT.WORKS co., ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Hitoshi Fujii; hereinafter “RT.Works”) to make it a wholly owned subsidiary. This move aims to strengthen Suzuki’s development capabilities in the electric mobility field and contribute to greater freedom of movement for more customers.

Since launching the Senior Car in 1985, Suzuki has been committed to developing compact electric mobility that contributes to society. In recent years, Suzuki has deepened its relationship with RT.Works through joint development of assist technologies for electric mobility. Sharing RT.Works’ philosophy of “Contributing to people’s enriched lives and social development through robot technology”, Suzuki has decided to move forward together with RT.Works.

RT.Works is a company engaged in the development, sales, and contract development of life support robots, including electric assist walkers, holding the top domestic market share in electric assist walkers. Since releasing the world’s first non-wearable walking assist robot “Robot Assist Walker RT.1” in 2015, RT.Works has consistently delivered products that support personal mobility.

In its mid-term management plan “By Your Side,” Suzuki defines its vision as becoming “Infrastructure mobility closely connected to customers’ lives”. This reflects Suzuki’s desire to provide products and services centered on mobility—automobiles, motorcycles, marine products—that are closely linked to customers’ daily lives, improving and supporting them. Through partnership with RT.Works, Suzuki aims to expand its contribution in the electric mobility field by creating new mobility solutions that leverage the strengths of both companies.

Comment from Hitoshi Fujii, President of RT.WORKS co., ltd.:

“RT.Works was founded in June 2014 with the desire to contribute to society through robot technology amid rapid demographic aging. Since launching the ‘Robot Assist Walker RT.1,’ we have continuously explored how to address social challenges by applying robot technology centered on electric assist, regardless of whether products are our own or others’. We are very pleased to join the Suzuki Group and contribute to creating products and services that benefit customers. Going forward, we will maintain our entrepreneurial spirit and, under the slogan ‘Bringing robot technology closer to people,’ generate multifaceted synergies with the Suzuki Group to support the movement of people and goods, thereby contributing to enriched lives and social development.”

Comment from Toshihiro Suzuki, President of Suzuki Motor Corporation:

“In addition to automobiles, motorcycles, and marine products, Suzuki sells the Senior Car, a handle-type electric wheelchair that marks its 40th anniversary this year. It has been well received as a product that supports daily mobility for those who have returned their driver’s license. At the same time, there are still customers who want to walk and move on their own feet, and electric assist walkers that support walking through robot technology are attracting attention as a very effective way to increase customer choices. We believe Suzuki’s nationwide sales network can also contribute. Going forward, as Team Suzuki, we will work together with RT.Works to realize infrastructure mobility closely connected to customers’ lives under the ‘By Your Side’ vision.”