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Five projects selected to support inclusive mobility in Medellín
Initiative aims to improve mobility for people with reduced mobility in the districts which have the highest number of residents with physical disabilities.
At a glance
Who: Ruta N in Medellín, Colombia; Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF).
What: Business and innovation centre Ruta N in Medellín and TMF have announced the five projects selected to develop solutions that will improve mobility for all in Medellín following a call for proposals for solutions that enable safer, more independent and more accessible journeys.
Why: It supports Ruta N’s strategic goals to make Medellín a smarter, more agile city, centred on citizen experience.
Where: The initiative focuses on the districts of Manrique and Aranjuez, which have the highest number of residents with physical disabilities in the city.
Business and innovation centre Ruta N in Medellín, Colombia, and Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) have announced the five projects selected to develop solutions that will improve mobility for all in Medellín.
The call for proposals for solutions that enable safer, more independent and more accessible journeys, received submissions from six countries and has advanced to a pilot phase featuring technological, social, and community-based solutions.
Improving mobility
The initiative aims to improve mobility for people with reduced mobility in the Manrique and Aranjuez districts, which have the highest number of residents with physical disabilities in the city.
The call was open to technology-based companies, social organisations, urban collectives, universities, and other stakeholders with experience in mobility, accessibility, and human-centred design.
Proposals were received from Chile, Brazil, the US, Greece, Spain and Colombia (Medellín and Cali), representing diverse technical, methodological, and territorial approaches.
“Tackling challenges like accessible mobility requires collaboration with local stakeholders, and we’re excited to work with this cohort and the community they serve”
“Cities that lead the future understand that technology is a tool to improve people’s quality of life. That is why Ruta N promotes a govtech vision that puts government at the service of citizens,” said Carolina Londoño, executive director of Ruta N.
“The five projects selected in partnership with the Toyota Mobility Foundation are a significant step towards creating mobility solutions that reflect the needs of local communities and empower individuals with limited mobility.”
The initiatives advancing pilot deployment by mid-year are:
- Brazo Amigo: Enhances independence for wheelchair users through a technological traction solution, tested and proven under real-world city conditions
- Solyon: An AI-powered digital assistant that enables people with reduced mobility to plan their public transit trips easily through a conversational interface
- Eafit University: Optimises transit access using an analytical data model that identifies the most efficient and safest routes for users with disabilities
- El Comité: Improves the bus boarding experience through a social intervention and technical tool designed to eliminate barriers at transit system stops
- Más Urbano: transforms the pedestrian experience in hillside areas through accessible “last mile” routes, combining tactical urbanism with smart signage.
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In Medellín, more than 55 per cent of the city’s roads are built on steep slopes. In particular, the Manrique and Aranjuez districts have a high number of residents with physical disabilities, creating significant challenges for their daily mobility.
The selection criteria included technical and operational feasibility, territorial relevance, methodological clarity, coherence between activities and outcomes, the feasibility of validation within a defined timeframe, and the minimum conditions required for implementation in the field.
The five initiatives will implement their solutions in response to the three challenges defined under the programme. The first focuses on ensuring inclusive travel by improving safety for pedestrians and individuals using mobility aids. The second seeks to enhance unobstructed, barrier-free access to public transport. Additionally, the third aims to enable people with mobility limitations or other disabilities to board, ride on and exit buses quickly, safely and reliably.
“Cities that lead the future understand that technology is a tool to improve people’s quality of life. That is why Ruta N promotes a govtech vision that puts government at the service of citizens”
Lorielyn Mills, programme director, Toyota Mobility Foundation, said: “Resident and rider voices are vital in guiding the path to mobility independence. Tackling challenges like accessible mobility requires collaboration with local stakeholders, and we’re excited to work with this cohort and the community they serve.”
Creating a more mobile society
Toyota Mobility Foundation was established in August 2014 by Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) to support the development of a more mobile society in which everyone can move freely. TMF works in partnership with universities, governments, non-profits, research institutions and other organisations, creating programmes that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address mobility issues around the world.
One of Ruta N’s strategic goals is to make Medellín a smarter, more agile, and centred on citizen experience. Therefore, having a district that learns, anticipates, and responds to improve people’s lives is one of the corporation’s top priorities. This alliance sets a precedent for building a smarter district, one where citizens’ needs and priorities are at the heart of urban regeneration.
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How can AI trip-assistants improve public transit accessibility for reduced mobility users?Which metrics evaluate success of pilot inclusive mobility interventions in hillside districts?How can traction solutions increase wheelchair independence on steep urban slopes?What data models identify safest, most efficient routes for users with disabilities?How can community-led social interventions improve bus boarding accessibility and reliability?AI and Machine LearningAnalyticsConnectivity & DataDatainclusivityMedellínmobilitymobility-as-a-serviceRoadSDGs
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