When the Tokyo Paralympic Games came to a close on Sunday, many athletes had managed to get to the finish line, some with medals, thanks to technology from Japan¡¯s largest firms.
Honda Motor Co.¡¯s latest model of racing wheelchair, for example, features carbon technology that¡¯s also used for the company¡¯s F1 racers and jet planes. Using carbon in its key components, including the frame and wheel, the vehicles weigh just 7.9 kilograms (17.4 pounds), among the lightest in the industry.
Named ¡°Kakeru,¡± or ¡°to soar¡± in Japanese, the wheelchairs were created more than two decades ago by Honda Taiyo, a subsidiary that employs many workers with disabilities.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.