Toyota Mobility Foundation and the city of Vichy work to promote inclusive mobility

The Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) is working with the French city of Vichy to promote greater inclusion: in collaboration with three startups, the conditions for people with limited mobility are set to improve. The newly formed partnership underscores TMF’s commitment to promoting inclusive mobility solutions so that everyone can move around easily and independently.

Nearly 30 percent of the population in the European Union have movement restrictions. You cannot move freely without encountering many obstacles. The result is feelings of isolation, loss of independence, and even health risks. By fostering collaboration and innovations, TMF and its partners are working to address these pressing issues and create a more accessible and inclusive world for all.

The project will leave a legacy of inclusive mobility that extends beyond the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. As the Global Mobility Partner of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Toyota will provide more than 2,600 electric vehicles to support transportation at the events, enabling inclusive and sustainable mobility.

“Our goal goes beyond the Paris Paralympics. “By working closely together, we want to leave a lasting legacy of comprehensive mobility solutions that enable people with limited mobility to move freely and confidently,” explains Mónica Pérez Lobo, Director of the Toyota Mobility Foundation in Europe. “With partners and local communities, we want to develop sustainable solutions that last beyond our initial commitment.”

The new partnership brings together different stakeholders: in addition to the city of Vichy, committed to accessibility, three startups have been selected as part of the Toyota Open Lab – an innovation platform that supports startups to grow and contribute to a sustainable future. The startups, which now include Andyamo, Eveility and Genny Factory, will combine their expertise to develop comprehensive approaches to improving navigation and access for people with limited mobility in urban environments.

The project is located at the “Le CREPS” training campus, a 9.2-hectare facility at the heart of the Vichy sports complex, which also serves as a training facility for the Olympic and Paralympic teams on their way to Paris. The facility is set to provide indoor and outdoor navigation for people with reduced mobility, as well as the main roads leading into the city of Vichy. It uses Genny Factory’s connected personal mobility technology to improve mapping capabilities across diverse terrain. This will create the first GPS system entirely dedicated to people with reduced mobility – a solution that can be adapted to other locations as an example of best practice.

“Vichy is deeply committed to improving accessibility and mobility for all residents. We are proud to work with the Toyota Mobility Foundation and selected startups to develop innovative solutions that promote inclusion and improve the quality of life for people with limited mobility,” said Frédéric Aguilera, Mayor of Vichy and Head of the Vichy Community.

As the first comprehensive solution for people with activity limitations, it addresses the common challenges and uncertainties these individuals face outside of their homes. By combining accessible outdoor and indoor navigation and improving the information collected, the project aims to provide comprehensive support to people with and without mobility limitations throughout their journey.

“Our goal is to improve mobility for everyone, especially for people with limited mobility. We want to help transport operators and MaaS providers promote mobility on foot and public transport by calculating the best routes,” explains Sebastian Guillon, CEO and co-founder of Andyamo. accessible and accurate.

“Velity offers interfaces, routes and hints that can be adapted to each user’s profile. Our goal is to enable people with limited mobility or disabilities to better navigate and navigate the complex spaces of everyday life using a mobility support app,” said Sylvain Denoncin, President and CEO of Groupe Okeenea.

“To move freely and independently in a pedestrian area or in a hall, you must be there at least once. The Genny Zero technology continuously determines the location and terrain, and transmits information about the areas to navigate or avoid. Genny ZERO is a personal transport elegantly designed for all users, featuring redundant self-balancing technology,” adds Paolo Padano, CEO and founder of Genny Factory.

About Toyota Mobility Foundation

The Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) was established in 2014 to promote the development of a more inclusive and sustainable future through innovative mobility solutions. The Foundation underscores Toyota’s commitment to continuous improvement and respect for people. Drawing on Toyota’s expertise and technology, it supports mobility systems and eliminates inequality. TMF works with universities, governments, non-profit organizations, research institutions and other organizations and develops programs that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).