&Y01

Yamaha Corporation and Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. have joined forces to create an "electrically power-assisted wheelchair that plays music,"
in a project in which the two companies collaborated to craft a design with a single theme.

Scenes from a performance by SLOW MOVEMENT #1
Scenes from a performance by SLOW MOVEMENT #2
Scenes from a performance by SLOW MOVEMENT #3
Scenes from a performance by SLOW MOVEMENT #4
Scenes from a performance by SLOW MOVEMENT #5
Scenes from a performance by SLOW MOVEMENT #6
Scenes from a performance by SLOW MOVEMENT #7
Scenes from a performance by SLOW MOVEMENT #8

View a slideshow of scenes from a performance by SLOW MOVEMENT.

Project Summary

JAPAN - The design teams of Yamaha Corporation and Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. have joined forces to work together to design a project under a single theme - &Y (Andy).
With "&Y" the two companies have designed the "&Y01", an electrically power-assisted wheelchair that plays music, and so far have produced three concept models. These models will be used in performances of "SLOW MOVEMENT - The Eternal Symphony" by the NPO "SLOW LABEL", an initiative which links local and international artists and designers with businesses and welfare facilities in crafting new products and concepts that make the most of their distinctive characteristics.
This project has its roots in the company philosophy common to Yamaha and Yamaha Motor of sharing new Kando* and rich culture with as many people as possible, and we anticipate that linking this project and SLOW MOVEMENT will result in a great synergistic effect.

*Kando is a Japanese word for the simultaneous feelings of deep satisfaction and intense excitement that we experience when we encounter something of exceptional value.

About &Y01

The design image is that of a white yacht sailing through the waves.
The power-assist function of the pure-white JW Swing makes travel so light and smooth it is as if someone is pushing from behind, giving the rider a feeling of elation that is enough to make them break into song. Installed on either side of the wheelchair are slim percussion instruments that enhance the performer's expression, and coupled with a battery case in the shape of a drum frame, Yamaha has truly created a wheelchair that gives the rider the experience of riding a musical instrument. Boasting TLF Speakers modeled on a ship's sail, the silhouette of the wheelchairs is reminiscent of a 1/8th note, expressing the enjoyment of performing freely.

This video depicts a performance related to the “&Y01” concept model, and does not depict the use of the JW Swing. This performance also differs to that of SLOW LABEL.

*Click the images to view a slide show.

TLF Speaker (TLF=Thin, Light, Flexible)

At only 1.5mm thick, these Yamaha speakers are very thin, lightweight, and have superior concentrated sound directionality along with long-range sound delivery. As the sound travels in a straight line from the whole surface of the speaker, even having several together will not create a mixing of the sound easily, and this ensures sound can be delivered to the audience with clarity. Not only that, the sound can travel long distances even at low volume.

JW Swing

The JW Swing is an electrically power-assisted wheelchair that provides electrically-driven assistance adjusted according to the difficulty posed by operating the handrims of the wheelchair. The product was developed with the goal of giving wheelchair-users a wider area of travel, as well as support to lead a more self-reliant life.

Event Information

Theme	“SLOW MOVEMENT -The Eternal Symphony 1st mov." (Kanagawa: Yokohama performance)
Date	February 6, 2016 (Sat.) \| February 7, 2016 (Sun.)
Venue	ZOU-NO-HANA Terrace (1 chome, Kaigan-dori, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa)
Time	February 6 (Sat.) Performances - 3:00pm & Talk Event - 2:00pm February 7 (Sun.) Performances - 2:00pm & 4:00pm (approx. 30 minutes duration each)
Entry fee	Free (Refer to the official SLOW LABEL (SLOW MOVEMENT) website for event details.)

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Theme	"SLOW MOVEMENT - The Eternal Symphony" (Tokyo: Toyosu performance)
Date	October 25, 2015 (Sun.)
Venue	Toyosu Park (Toyosu 2-1, Koto-ku, Tokyo)
Time	Performances - 12:00pm & 2:00pm (approx. 15 minutes duration each)
Entry fee	Free

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Theme	"SLOW MOVEMENT - The Eternal Symphony" (Tokyo: Aoyama performance)
Date	October 3, 2015 (Sat.)
Venue	Plaza in front of United Nations University (Jingu-mae 5-53-70, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
Time	Performances - 2:00pm and 4:00pm (approx. 15 minutes duration each)
Entry fee	Free

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