TMF Selects 10 Teams for 2024 in the “Mobility for ALL” Category of the “Make a Move” Idea Contest
TOKYO, JAPAN
MAY 24, 2024
In February of this year, Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) accepted applications for new ideas and selected ten teams for fiscal 2024 to work on activities in the “Mobility for ALL – Bringing the Potential of Mobility to Everyone” category of its Make a Move Project, an idea contest aiming to realize the practical implementation of ideas and solutions in society.
Contest website: https://mobility-contest.jp/department1-2024/
This contest, which began in 2022, focuses on using motorsports events as proving grounds. It has been calling for ideas and solutions that will enable everyone, regardless of disability, to comfortably enjoy watching motorsports and traveling to the venues where they are held. For 2024, ten teams were selected from among the applications received based on the perspectives of relevant parties, the innovativeness of the proposals, and the opinions of outside experts. The selected ten teams are awarded grants (up to 20 million yen per project) and, together with the seven teams of finalists from 2023, will promote activities geared toward realizing the practical implementation of their ideas in society.
This year, the teams will verify and test their ideas at the Super Taikyu race at Fuji Speedway on November 16-17, 2024. Through testing, we aim to further expand the community in which the teams compete with and help each other. At the same time, we are also implementing plans that will allow more people to participate and work together on the project, including people with disabilities and outside experts, in addition to the teams.
|
Selected Teams |
Initiative Details |
|
Eyesynth, S.L. (Spain) |
Verification of smart glasses for visually impaired individuals that provide information via auditory feedback about surrounding objects. |
|
veernca LLC. (Japan) |
Using a camera that captures sounds instantaneously and an app that shares those sounds to provide an experience where visually impaired and sighted individuals can equally share the emotions and excitement of an event through sound. |
|
NPO WheeLog (Japan) |
Development of barrier-free maps of facilities for wheelchair users and an app that scans a wheelchair, allowing users to simulate toilet use in advance. |
|
WeWalk Limited (UK) |
Mobility support for visually impaired individuals via a white cane that has overhead obstacle detection and voice guidance functions. |
|
Koborin Co., Ltd (Japan) |
Development of a wheelchair unit, Hineru, that allows users to freely change their posture on their own. |
|
toraru Co., Ltd (Japan) |
Using GENCHI, a service that connects people with others at a particular location, creates opportunities for individuals with mobility challenges to virtually travel, watch races, etc. |
|
.lumen SRL (Romania) |
Verification of a goggle-type device that uses spatial navigation AI to allow visually impaired individuals to walk as if a seeing-eye dog were guiding them. |
|
Hable One BV (Netherlands) |
Verification of an external keyboard that enables intuitive smartphone and tablet operation for visually impaired individuals. |
|
PLAYWORKs Inc. (Japan) |
Development of usage models and an outdoor version of “coco-tape,” an alternative to braille blocks for helping guide the visually impaired. |
|
The Way Design LLC (Japan) |
Development of ossist!, a power-assisted electric device that makes pushing a manual wheelchair easier. |
Reference: 2023 Contest Overview (https://mobility-contest.jp/department1-2023/)
About Toyota Mobility Foundation
The Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) was established in August 2014 by the Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) to support the development of a more mobile society in which everyone can move freely. The Foundation underscores TMC’s on-going commitment to continuous improvement and respect for people. It utilizes Toyota’s expertise and technologies to support strong mobility systems while eliminating disparities in mobility. TMF works in partnership with universities, governments, non-profits, research institutions and other organizations, creating programs are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address mobility issues around the world.
This project supports the following SDG's.
Contact: Toyota Mobility Foundation (Teraoka)
TEL： 070-7414-5576
Office hours: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm JST (unavailable Saturday, Sunday, and National holidays)
E-mail: info@toyota-mf.org