The Mobility Unlimited Challenge was a $4 million international challenge led by the Toyota Mobility Foundation and Challenge Works which was designed to change the daily lives of people with lower-limb paralysis through innovative personal mobility devices incorporating intelligent systems. It aimed to harness creative thinking from across the world to accelerate innovation and encourage collaboration with end-users, in order to result in devices that will integrate seamlessly into users’ lives and environments, enabling greater independence and increased participation in daily life.
We looked for teams with engineering, software, design and data science expertise. But more importantly, we sought teams who put end-users at the heart of everything they do, engaging people with lower-limb paralysis from the outset to develop devices that best meet their needs.
Mobility is a fundamental part of being independent and free to participate in society. Yet, globally, society is not fully inclusive to millions of people with paralysis.
While there is no single experience, people with paralysis face barriers to their mobility, and therefore their independence, because of inaccessible environments and inadequate technology.
Mobility devices can be life changing, but the pace of innovation is frustratingly slow. Disincentives such as small and fragmented markets, regulatory burdens, and difficulties getting new technology paid for by healthcare systems and insurers are all impeding progress.
We believe that groundbreaking technology can drastically reduce mobility barriers.
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Phoenix Instinct were announced as securing the top spot with their device, the Phoenix i, which is an ultra-lightweight manual wheelchair made from carbon-fiber. Using smart sensors, the chair will configure itself to what the user is doing so it remains in sync with how the user moves. Sensors around the chair detect if the user is leaning forward or back, and algorithms will calculate the wheelchair’s response. They were awarded a $1million prize, to develop their innovation further and take it to market.
A smart wearable leg sleeve that helps people with partial lower limb paralysis regain their mobility. The EvoWalk AI system uses sensors to predict the user’s walking motion and stimulates the right muscles at the right time to help them walk better.
An integrated network of wheel-on powered devices, allowing users of manual wheelchairs the convenience and benefits of a powered chair, accessible via an app-based share scheme.
Qolo (Quality of Life with Locomotion) is a mobile exoskeleton on wheels, allowing users to sit or stand with ease.
A highly mobile, powered exoskeleton offering fast, stable and agile upright mobility.
The Ageing Well Challenge looked for ideas to improve the lives of older people by reducing social isolation or increasing mobility. It was one of two Giving Challenges funded by the Home Office.
Seeking to champion innovative assistive technology and encourage co-creation with disabled people.
