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#Composites

Teijin’s carbon fiber and resin used in world’s first laptop-sized automated people mover

Teijin Limited announced today that thermoplastic materials made with its Tenax® carbon fiber and Panlite® polycarbonate alloy resin have been adopted for use in the world’s first laptop-sized automated people mover (APM), the WALKCAR®, developed by cocoa motors. Inc.

The WALKCAR®, which is small enough to be carried in a bag, measures just 21.5 cm by 34.6 cm, roughly the size of a 13-inch laptop computer, and weighs only 2.9 kg. The WALKCAR® can travel about 7 km at a maximum speed of 16 km/h on a single charge. Operated by simply shifting one’s center of gravity, the APM requires neither a handle nor controller, and stops automatically as soon as the operator steps off.

The sturdy but lightweight WALKCAR® is made with Teijin’s thermoplastic carbon fiber reinforced  laminates Tenax® TPCL, thermoplastic  woven  fabric Tenax® TPWF  and polycarbonate alloy resin Panlite®.


(c) 2020 Teijin
(c) 2020 Teijin


(c) 2020 Teijin
(c) 2020 Teijin

 

Compared to steel, Tenax® offers 10 times the strength at just one quarter of the weight. Panlite® polycarbonate resin boasts some 200 times more  impact  resistance  than  fiberglass  but  only  half  of  the  weight.  The  impressive characteristics  of  these  Teijin  materials  is  why  the  amazing WALKCAR® is  able  to combine low weight and high durability.

The WALKCAR®  went  on  sale  in  Japan  in  June  and  overseas  sales  will  begin  from August 11. Orders can be placed via the cocoa motors' website:

https://en.cocoamotors.com/

Teijin develops high-performance materials and offers them in solutions targeting diverse fields under a long-term vision of becoming a company that supports the society of the future.


More News from Teijin Aramid

#Yarn & Fiber

Teijin Aramid: Taiichi Machida to succeed Peter ter Horst as CEO

Peter ter Horst will step down as Chief Executive Officer at the end of 2025, after 19 years of dedicated service. Effective October 1, 2025, Taiichi Machida will take over as CEO.

#Yarn & Fiber

Teijin announces availability of DPP-compliant products aligned with Europe’s ESPR Environmental Regulation

Teijin Limited announced today that it has started rolling out initiatives to enable aramid fibers and carbon fibers to be accompanied by Digital Product Passport (DPP) technology, which enhances supply chain transparency by verifying the origins of materials and supporting sustainability claims. The company is using the supply chain traceability system from Netherlands-based Circularise B.V., in which Teijin has invested since November 2024, to develop DPPs for each product.

#Composites

Teijin Carbon showcases new eco-friendly Tenax Next™ R2S 513 6mm short carbon fiber at JEC World 2025

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#Recycling / Circular Economy

Teijin to invest in Circularise B.V. and adopt its supply chain traceability platform to promote the Circular Economy

Teijin Limited announced today that it will invest in Circularise B.V., a company based in The Hague, Netherlands, which develops product traceability management systems using blockchain technology. Teijin will also implement Circularise’s software to improve visibility into its global supply chain. Circularise’s proprietary “Smart Questioning”(*) solution, which utilizes Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) technology, provides both anonymity and transparency to ensure a highly reliable product traceability system.

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#Composites

MEL Composites and Carrocerías Ayats collaborate on lightweight composite window frames

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#Composites

FLYING WHALES selects HEXCEL for the supply of composites materials for its LCA60T AIRSHIP

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#Composites

KONGSBERG and HEXCEL sign a long-term partnership agreement

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#Composites

Hexcel presents lightweight aerospace composite innovations at 55th International Paris Air Show

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Latest News

#Recycling / Circular Economy

textile.4U publishes special edition “Top 100 Textile Recycling Companies 2025”

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#ITMA Asia + CITME Singapore 2025

KARL MAYER is launching two machines that set new standards in performance and cost-effectiveness

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#ITMA Asia + CITME Singapore 2025

Uster presents novelties at ITMA Asia + CITME 2025

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#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Nike unites innovation, design and product teams to accelerate athlete-centered innovation

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