This Operating Guide is intended to provide instructions on basic usage of the device. To operate the device safely, please ensure to carefully read this guide before use. It is recommended to keep this guide on hand at all time for your reference.
1. Major precautions for use
The WHILL Model Fi is a mobility vehicle. Persons who find it difficult to use a powered wheelchair should refrain from using the device.
- The maximum load weight for this device is 253.5lb (115kg). It includes both the occupant and any luggage. Ensure the load weight does not exceed the maximum during use.
- Turn off the device power when getting in and out of the device.
- Keep your feet on the foot rest while driving to avoid feet or clothing getting caught in moving components.
- Avoid traffic and narrow spaces, and follow the traffic rules to drive safely.
Dress appropriately for driving.
- There is a risk that clothing such as long scarves, loose pants, skirts and rain coats may be caught in tires or other parts of the device, resulting in injury.
- When wearing gloves, be careful to avoid getting them caught in the device, such as in the control components.
Drive carefully in the following areas.
Image of the WHILL Model Fi, a compact, foldable electric mobility vehicle.
Railroad crossings or tram tracks: ✔️ When crossing railroad crossings or tram tracks, approach and cross perpendicular to the tracks. Ensure the device does not get stuck in the groove of the tracks.
Areas with potential for leaning: ❌ Do not drive at places where the device may lean significantly.
Warning: Avoid rail road crossings and take a safer route whenever possible. If you must pass a rail road crossing, ensure you understand how to manually release the brakes (refer to section 3) and ask a caretaker to accompany you.
Surface conditions: Do not drive the device in areas with soft surfaces such as sand, mud, snow or frozen paths. There is a risk that accidents may occur.
MR Unsafe Warning: The WHILL Model Fi is MR Unsafe. The device presents a projectile hazard.
2. Basic operations
Control pad
Image of the control pad showing the power button, battery charge level indicator, speed select buttons (+/-), and sound button.
- Power button: Turns the device on/off.
- Battery charge level: Battery level is displayed from 0% to 100%.
- Speed select buttons: '+' increases the maximum speed, '-' decreases the maximum speed.
- Sound button: Lets people know you are there.
Operating steps:
- Get in the device: Confirm the device power is off before getting into the device.
- Turn on the power: Press the power button and confirm the display turns on.
- Set speed: Adjust the speed setting from 1 to 4 by using speed select buttons.
- Move and turn around: Move the joystick slowly in the desired direction.
- Stop: Release the joystick.
- Turn off the power: Press the power button and confirm the display turns off.
- Get out of the device: Confirm the display is off, and then get out of the device.
⚠️ Ensure to turn off the device power when getting in and out of the device.
2. Driving tips
1. How to stop
Release the joystick to stop. Releasing the joystick automatically applies the brakes and stops the device even on an uphill or downhill slope.
2. How to hold the joystick
Close-up image of a hand holding the joystick controller. Place fingers on the joystick.
3. How to move the joystick
Adjusting the speed: The device speed can be controlled by the tilting degree of movement of the joystick. In the beginning, ensure to operate the joystick gently and drive slowly.
Diagrams illustrating joystick control for speed: tilting the joystick slightly results in slower movement, while tilting it more results in faster movement.
Climbing over a step
When climbing over a step, approach at a right angle to the step.
Diagrams showing the correct procedure for climbing a step: approach at a right angle, stop before the step, slow down after the front wheels clear the step, then do the same for the rear wheels.
- Stop when the front wheels bump into the step.
- Slow down after the front wheels have climbed over the step.
- Do the same for the rear wheels to get the device over the step.
3. Releasing the brakes
Certain situations may require control of the device without powering on and using the joystick—known as freewheel mode. This can be accomplished using the two red brake release levers.
Procedure:
- Turn off the device power.
- Push down both of the two brake release levers below the seat.
Image showing the red brake release levers located below the seat, used for engaging or releasing the brakes.
Re-engaging brakes: Raise both brake release levers to re-engage the brakes afterwards.
⚠️ Do not release the brakes on a slope. Be sure to release the brakes only when on a flat surface and in emergencies after turning off the power. After moving the device manually with the brakes released, be sure to raise the two brake release levers to re-engage the brakes.
4. Folding procedure
Model Fi is foldable.
⚠️ Perform folding of the device on a flat and level surface. Otherwise, there is a risk of accident.
⚠️ Perform folding of the device with the brakes applied. Otherwise, there is a risk of unintended movement of the device which may cause accidents.
⚠️ When holding the device, grab only the handle and part as described in the photo. Otherwise, there is a risk of hand injury if it gets caught in the device.
Diagrams illustrating the WHILL Model Fi in its unfolded and folded states.
- Tilt the back support forward to the seat.
Image: Person tilting the back support forward towards the seat.
- Fix the device in place while supporting the foot pedal.
Image: Person supporting the foot pedal while the device is fixed in place. Supporting foot pedal connecting the two anti-tip rollers prevents the device from moving when folded.
⚠️ There is a risk of foot injury if it gets stuck under the foot pedal when folding the device.
- Press in the lock release button
Image: Close-up of a finger pressing the lock release button on the right armrest. The lock release button is located at the front side of the right arm. Keep the device in this state with the lock release button pressed in.
- Pull the seat frame pipe upwards.
Image: Person pulling the seat frame pipe upwards while the device begins to close. Grab the seat frame pipe at the back of the seat and pull it up while keep pressing in the lock release button. When the device begins to close, take your hand away from the lock release button.
- Close the device.
Image: The device is shown in its folded state, with a 'Click' indicator. Close the device to the position where you hear the click sound. Lastly, gently push down on the seat frame pipe once again to make sure the device is properly locked and will not open.
⚠️ Make sure the device is properly locked after folding to prevent a risk of the device to open unexpectedly.
5. Unfolding the device
⚠️ Perform unfolding of the device on a flat and level surface.
⚠️ Perform unfolding of the device with the brakes applied.
⚠️ When unfolding the device, grab only the handle and part as described in the photo.
- Fix the device in place while supporting the foot pedal.
Image: Person supporting the foot pedal while the device is fixed in place. Supporting foot pedal connecting the two anti-tip rollers prevents the device from moving when unfolding.
- Pull the seat frame pipe upwards and press the lock release button.
Image: Person pulling the seat frame pipe upwards and pressing the lock release button. Grab the seat frame pipe at the back of the seat and pull it up to keep the device in the state. Press in the lock release button in the front of the right arm. The lock release button is designed so that it can be pushed in only when the seat frame pipe is pulled upwards.
- Lower the seat frame pipe.
Image: Person lowering the seat frame pipe to unfold the device. Lower the seat frame pipe while keep pushing in the lock release button to unfold the device. When the device begins to unfold, take your hands away from the button.
- Unfold the device.
Image: The device is shown opening, with a 'Click' indicator. Open the device to the position until you hear a click sound.
- Tilt the back support backward and check the lock indicator.
Image: Person tilting the back support backward and a diagram showing the lock indicator on the right armrest. Ensure the lock indicator on the inside of the right arm shows black.
⚠️ Ensure the lock indicator shows black after unfolding the device to prevent the device from unintentionally folding while driving, which may cause an accident.
6. Charging the battery
1. Charging with the battery installed in the device
Move the device close to the outlet and turn off the device power. Connect the charger and AC connector cord.
- Plug the charger into the power outlet. The charger indicator illuminates red.
- Remove the battery charging port cap and connect the DC connector to the battery charging port. The charger indicator begins flashing green and charging starts.
- Charging is completed when the charger indicator turns solid green.
- Disconnect the DC connector from the battery, then disconnect the plug from the power outlet. Close the cap of the battery charging port.
2. Charging with the battery removed
Image of the battery charging port on the device.
Check the device power is off and press the battery lock release button. Grasp the handle and pull to remove the battery.
- Connect the charger and AC connector cord. Plug the charger into the power outlet.
- Remove the cap of the battery charging port and connect the DC connector to it. The charger indicator begins flashing green, and charging starts.
- Charging is completed when the charger indicator and battery LED turns solid green.
- Disconnect the DC connector from the battery, and then the plug from the power outlet.
⚠️ Do not touch the battery and charger during charging to prevent burns.
⚠️ Ensure charging the battery indoors.
⚠️ Only use the designated battery and charger for the device.
7. Troubleshooting
In the event of certain issues with the device, an error code will appear on the display. If an unlisted error is displayed or the issue persists even though a problem was handled in line with troubleshooting, contact your dealer or customer support.
| Behavior of the device | Error code | Cause | Resolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| The icon shown on the right appears. | 01 | The controller is operated with the device in a folded state. | Unlock the device and turn the power on again. |
| 02 | The joystick was not in neutral position when the power was turned on. | Power back on without touching the joystick. | |
| 03 | The brake levers are disengaged. | Lock the brakes and turn the power on again. | |
| The charger was connected while the power was on, or the device was turned on while being connected to the charger. | Disconnect the charger from the battery. | ||
| The maximum speed decreases. | The battery charge level is low. | Recharge the battery. | |
| The maximum speed recovers. | The battery temperature dropped significantly. | Store the battery in room temperature or at least in an ambient temperature of above 0°C (32°F) until the battery temperature rises above 0°C (32°F). | |
| The battery temperature rose above 0°C (32°F). | |||
| The icon shown on the right appears. | The smart key battery level is low. | Replace the smart key battery. | |
| The device does not turn on. The LED display does not light up. | N/A | The battery charge level is low. | Charge the battery. |
| The battery is not fully inserted into the battery compartment on the rear drive base. | Insert the battery all the way in. | ||
| Remove the battery, then attach the battery again after 10 seconds. | |||
| The cable connector in the rear of the seat is disconnected. | Connect the connector of the cable. |
How to pair your smartphone app
App allows users to check total mileage, distance traveled, battery level, full charge cycles and to use the remote control function. Users can also lock and unlock the device.
- Install the app: You need to install the app beforehand. To install, go to the App Store and search for “WHILL”. Click the blue WHILL logo icon for the WHILL Model C2/F series app. (The grey logo icon is for WHILL Model C.)
The WHILL logo, a blue stylized house shape.
- Pair your device: Launch the WHILL Model C2/F series app and enter the following codes* on the screen or scan the QR code.*
- 11-digit alphanumeric code
- password
*The unique app pairing ID&password and QR code are printed on a paper slip and placed in the box containing the arm rests.
Note: Depending on your region and smartphone type, the app may not be offered, or some functions may not be available.
Dealer Information
The dealer from whom the device was purchased will handle requests for repair, maintenance and parts replacement.
Manufacturer Information
Manufacturer: WHILL, Inc.
Address: 2-11 Higashishinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 140-0002, Japan
Website: www.whill.inc
