Japan – The Future of Accessibility: Toyota Mobility Foundation and MaRS Discovery District Launch the Mobility Unlimited Hub in Toronto
The Future of Accessibility: Toyota Mobility Foundation and MaRS Discovery District Launch the Mobility Unlimited Hub in Toronto
“Active mobility” is more than getting from A to B. It’s having the autonomy of movement that allows us to be actively independent, so we can pursue all the things that make life healthy, joyful and worthwhile. In a significant step towards creating a more inclusive society, Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) and MaRS Discovery District are proud to announce the launch of the Mobility Unlimited Hub. This initiative aims to bridge the gaps in the ecosystem and accelerate the development and adoption of early-stage personal mobility technologies.
When people are free to move, they can broaden their horizons and fully realize their potential. The Mobility Unlimited Hub will work to foster innovation by offering a path to successful commercialization. It will bridge early-stage achievements and the capacity to succeed in the mass market. The range of resources provided to participants includes marketing and public relations support, funding opportunities, and avenues for collaboration. The initiative is underpinned by a commitment to community engagement and the creation of a supportive environment for startups and innovators in the active mobility sector.
“The Mobility Unlimited Hub is a beacon of innovation and inclusivity and seeks to shine a light on the growing prevalence of disability, position the mobility market as one worth investing in, and help more people lead active, healthy lives,” stated Ryan Klem, Director of Programs at TMF.
Krista Jones, Interim CEO of MaRS, echoed this sentiment, stating, “This collaboration between MaRS and Toyota Mobility Foundation represents a commitment to leveraging technology and creativity to break down barriers to mobility. It’s about creating not just new pathways for movement, but also catalyzing the development and adoption of early-stage personal mobility technologies while accelerating commercialization in this crucial field.”
Canada has an estimated 8.0 million people who have at least one disability, representing 27% of Canadians aged 15 and older (or 20.9% of total population).* 72% of Canadians with disability reported having encountered some form of barrier to accessibility within the last year, and among those with physical disabilities, 44.9% required at least one type of aid or assistive device or an accessibility feature within their home**. However, over 30% of people with disabilities in Canada report unmet needs for assistive devices, highlighting the critical role of initiatives like the Mobility Unlimited Hub.
– Growing Demand: The marketing opportunity of Active Mobility Technology was valued at over $48 billion in 2022, with projections to nearly double to $90 billion by 2030.***
– Critical Need: Over 1 billion people globally are in need of assistive technologies, a figure expected to double by 2050, highlighting the urgent requirement for innovative solutions.****
– Immeasurable Impact: The Mobility Unlimited Hub aims to meet these needs, providing sustainable and independent mobility experiences for all, especially those with disabilities.
– Economic Opportunity: The initiative is set to unlock significant economic benefits, with improved mobility solutions expected to contribute more than USD 10 trillion to the global economy over the next 55 years.***
– Health and Wellness Benefits: Enhanced access to assistive technologies is anticipated to offer an additional 1.3 years of ‘perfect health’ over the life cycle of each user.****
– Social Engagement and Inclusion: The Hub seeks to foster increased social engagement and inclusion, addressing issues of chronic loneliness and improving overall well-being.
While establishing the Mobility Unlimited Hub, Toyota Mobility Foundation and MaRS worked closely with Toronto Global, a team of experienced business advisors assisting global organizations to expand into the Toronto Region. Toronto Global hosted Toyota Mobility Foundation on a number of visits to Toronto, met with executives in Japan, and facilitated key connections with industry leaders.
“We are thrilled to support TMF and MaRS in leveraging the Toronto Region’s advanced technology ecosystem and resources for this health-tech breakthrough,” said Toronto Global CEO Stephen Lund. “Diversity and inclusion are key pillars to the Toronto Region’s values, this project will help the region further embrace inclusivity by creating a more accessible society for Canadians.”
The Hub is launching with the support of several community members, including Access to Success, George Brown College, Global Startups, Linamar iHub, KITE UHN, Sheridan College, Toronto Global, University of Toronto, and Woven Capital, all united under the mantra, “Nothing about us without us”. This community-driven approach is fundamental to the Hub’s mission, ensuring that solutions are developed with direct input from those they aim to serve.
Call for Submissions for the First Cohort
The Mobility Unlimited Hub is now accepting submissions for its first cohort. Innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups specializing in active mobility technology are encouraged to apply and become part of a vibrant community working towards the common goal of advancing active mobility solutions.
The launch of the Mobility Unlimited Hub in Toronto is just the beginning. Toyota Mobility Foundation envisions establishing a network of Hubs around the world, each dedicated to addressing local mobility challenges while contributing to a global movement towards inclusive mobility solutions.
For more information about the Mobility Unlimited Hub and to submit your application for the first cohort, visit www.mobilityunlimitedhub.org.
About MaRS Discovery District
MaRS Discovery District helps Canadian startups succeed so they can solve our toughest problems in areas like climate, health and the economy. As North America’s largest urban innovation hub and a registered charity, MaRS provides direct support for more than 1,200 ventures, builds communities of innovators within its 1.5 million square feet of lab and office space and beyond, and spurs the adoption of new solutions — in Canada and around the world.
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 that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address mobility issues around the world.
Citations:
(1) Statistics Canada. (2022). www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/231201/dq231201b-eng.htm,
(2) Statistics Canada. (2022) www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/231201/dq231201b-eng.htm)
(3) Disabled and Elderly Assistive Technology Market: Global Industry Analysis, Trends, Market Size, and Forecasts up to 2030. Custom Market Insights. (2023, October).
(4) ATscale. The Case for Investing in Assistive Technology. 2020.
For media inquiries, please contact:
MaRS Discovery District: Wendy Bairos, wbairos@marsdd.com, 416-831-9820Toyota Mobility Foundation: Julie Ann Burandt, julieann.burandt@toyota.com, +1-646-413-4840
Social Mobility Youth Charity Receives Funding from the Eveson Trust
CoachBright CEO delighted to win financial support from The Eveson Trust towards the social and emotional benefit of disadvantaged young people in W. Midlands.
BIRMINGHAM, U.K. – Oct. 30, 2023 – PRLog — CoachBright Charitable Trust are delighted to have received £ 15,000 in funding from The Eveson Trust towards the social and emotional benefit of disadvantaged young people and their families living in the West Midlands.
The Eveson Trust is funded by one of the largest bequests in Great Britain, made by Violet Mary Eveson, whose grandfather owned the largest hop farming area in Britain and possibly the world.
The grant will cover some of the core costs incurred from coaching disadvantaged young people to become more confident, independent and resilient so they can lead the lives they want.
Joe McGinn (CEO) said: “We are delighted to have received this grant, particularly as there are still only a few pioneering grant-making bodies that will support specific infrastructure costs. To have the support of The Eveson Trust at this stage of our development, when we are experiencing unprecedented demand but ever tighter budgets, helps us to maintain our support to young people at a critical time.”
“CoachBright is also supported by more than 1,000 volunteers, who are trained and then give their time to support vulnerable young people who are struggling at school. This coaching support enables young people to develop their social and emotional skills, aim for and achieve higher grades, and ultimately, to realise the only ceiling on their achievements is their ambition. We provide an essential early intervention system for those who have experienced adversity, to keep young people engaged, included, and empowered to reach their full potential.”
If you would like to donate or volunteer, please visit: www.coachbright.org
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Notes to the Editor:
1. Disadvantaged young people are 50% less likely to achieve good grades in maths and English GCSEs than their more affluent peers.
Data Source: Department for Education, National curriculum assessments at key stage 4 in England, 2022
https://social-
2. The majority of suspensions at school are given to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds – those living in poverty, or allocated a social worker – with the numbers rising by 75 per cent post-pandemic, analysis of recent Department of Education data has found.
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3. 50% of mental health problems are established by age 14, according to the Mental Health Foundation (2023). These challenges can manifest or escalate during the secondary school transition period, emphasizing the need for early intervention. Young people need regular, safe spaces where they can discuss their concerns and anxieties and promote their emotional wellbeing, and this is what high quality coaching programmes can provide.
Japan – Towards a Mobility Future That Offers Freedom to Lead the Life You Want, Anywhere, Anytime
TOYOTA will be exhibiting at the JAPAN MOBILITY SHOW 2023, to be held from Thursday, October 26 to Sunday, November 5(1), with a booth themed “Let’s Change the Future of Cars―Find Your Future.”
In this second announcement of models to be exhibited at the booth, Toyota unveils the KAYOIBAKO, a concept model that embodies a mobility future with the freedom to lead the life you want, anywhere, anytime. Toyota’s booth will showcase how the KAYOIBAKO can cater to customer needs, from business to pleasure.
Exhibit model
KAYOIBAKO
Main features
- The word kayoibako refers to configurable shipping containers for safely and efficiently transporting parts and products between facilities, sized to eliminate waste and able to meet diverse needs with changeable inserts. Adopting this approach, the KAYOIBAKO is a new compact space concept that represents the future of mobility.
- Toyota sought to create a “quality base unit” of mobility through a commitment to interior/exterior packaging and affordability. With an “ultra-expandable” design that allows tailoring to suit different roles, this battery electric vehicle (BEV) can support a diverse range of applications.
- As a BEV with both hardware and software customizable to specific roles, the KAYOIBAKO will function as part of smart grids and other intelligent social systems.
- For business applications, the KAYOIBAKO will offer solutions to various issues as part of the social infrastructure. In last-mile logistics, for example, the vehicle can contribute to smart distribution systems by allowing customization for efficient low-volume transportation. The KAYOIBAKO can also be customized to meet the needs of local communities, such as by installing product display shelves to create a mobile shop or additional seating to serve as a shuttle bus.
- For private use, the vehicle can be customized according to individual tastes and preferences, evolving into a one-of-a-kind mobility. As well as catering to diverse personal uses and lifestyles, the KAYOIBAKO will also contribute to providing “Mobility for All” by, for example, enabling designs that offer easier access for wheelchair users.
(1)Held at Tokyo Big Sight (Koto-ku, Tokyo)
October 25-26: press, October 26-27: special invitation, etc., October 28-November 5: general public
(2) Driver’s side: 2,141 mm
For more information, visit https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/corporate/39886426.html.
Copyright ©2023 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Japan Corporate News Network.
Lexus Showcases the Future of Electrified Vehicles and Mobility Experiences at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show
Tokyo, Japan – WEBWIRE – Wednesday, October 11, 2023
- With the aim to transform into a BEV brand, Lexus world premieres its concept model lineup at the first-ever JAPAN MOBILITY SHOW 2023
- A sustainable vision for the future of cars will be shown inside a booth featuring stunning traditional Japanese craftsmanship and exhibits highlighting electrification and AI technology used in next-generation BEVs
- Lexus Electrified VR Experience will simulate a virtual driving experience that aligns with Lexuss customer-centric approach and connection to society
Lexus will exhibit at the first-ever JAPAN MOBILITY SHOW 2023 from October 26 to November 5 under the theme Discover a future you cant wait to navigate!
The Lexus booth theme will be Pushing the Boundaries of the Electrified Experience and will debut its next-generation battery electric vehicle (BEV) concept model lineup, with the aim of transforming into a BEV brand by 2035. The booth prominently features the use of traditional Japanese aesthetics and environmentally friendly, sustainable bamboo material, expressing the brands commitment to achieving a carbon-neutral society.
In addition to the concept models, VR driving simulators Lexus Electrified VR Experience will allow visitors to experience a future world of driving where electrification and AI technologies help cater to individual customer needs and connect with society. Show guests will have the opportunity to fully engage in a VR-exclusive setting, enabling them to encounter the personalized driving experience and enhanced lifestyle that Lexus is committed to delivering.
Press conference is scheduled on press day at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, at the Lexus booth.
The press conference can be viewed from the following URL
URL：https://global.toyota/jp/newsroom/lexus/39888236.html
Show to be held at Tokyo Big Site (Koto-ku, Tokyo); Oct. 26-27: Special Invitational Days; Oct. 28-Nov. 5: Open to the general public.
Toyota Motor Corporation works to develop and manufacture innovative, safe and high-quality products and services that create happiness by providing mobility for all. We believe that true achievement comes from supporting our customers, partners, employees, and the communities in which we operate. Since our founding over 80 years ago in 1937, we have applied our Guiding Principles in pursuit of a safer, greener and more inclusive society. Today, as we transform into a mobility company developing connected, automated, shared and electrified technologies, we also remain true to our Guiding Principles and many of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to help realize an ever-better world, where everyone is free to move.
SDGs Initiatives: https://global.toyota/en/sustainability/sdgs/
The Press Release relates to SDG 9, 13
ABOUT LEXUS
Lexus launched in 1989 with a flagship sedan and a guest experience that helped define the premium automotive industry. In 1998, Lexus introduced the luxury crossover category with the launch of the Lexus RX. The luxury hybrid sales leader, Lexus delivered the worlds first luxury hybrid and has since sold over 2.66 million hybrid vehicles including HEVs, PHEVs, and BEVs. (as of the end of August 2023)
A global luxury automotive brand with an unwavering commitment to bold, uncompromising design, exceptional craftsmanship, and exhilarating performance, Lexus has developed its lineup to meet the needs of the next generation of global luxury guests and is currently available in over 90 countries/regions worldwide.
Lexus associates/team members across the world are dedicated to crafting amazing experiences that are uniquely Lexus, and that excite and change the world.
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (hereafter, Mitsubishi Motors) will exhibit at the Japan Mobility Show 2023* to be held at Tokyo Big Sight. With the booth theme of “Awaken the adventurous spirit within you. Adventures for all – anytime and anywhere,” the company is set to present a unique, fulfilling mobility lifestyle that excites drivers’ spirit of adventure. Utilizing its proprietary electrification, all-wheel control, durability and reliability, and comfortability technologies, Mitsubishi Motors provides vehicles that are environmentally-friendly and offer safe, comfortable ride with peace of mind in any weather or road conditions. As a reliable partner that caters to the varied needs of all kinds of drivers, Mitsubishi Motors supports mobility lifestyles of customers by offering cars that make their every day exciting and enjoyable, motivate them to go one step further than usual, encourage them to try new things, and ensure a safe return home from just about every adventure. To date, Mitsubishi Motors has proposed numerous ways for enjoying time outdoors with family and friends. They are embodied in the Pajero, an all-round SUV which balances the road handling of an authentic SUV with the comfort of a passenger vehicle; the Delica D:5, an all-round minivan which combines a comfortable interior with a powerful drive; and the Outlander PHEV, an electrified SUV which delivers environmental performance and road performance at a high level as well as offering new value as a storage battery. With such ambition, Mitsubishi Motors heads to the Japan Mobility Show to showcase a unique, fulfilling mobility lifestyle that awakens drivers’ adventurous spirit. More information on Mitsubishi Motors’ exhibits at the Japan Mobility Show 2023 will be available at the company’s special website: https://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/innovation/motorshow/jms2023/ *The Japan Mobility Show 2023 is organized by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc. October 25 and 26 are press days, October 27 is a special invitation day, and October 28 to November 5 are general public days. Tokyo Big Sight is the main venue. About Mitsubishi Motors Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (TSE:7211) —a member of the Alliance with Renault and Nissan—, is a global automobile company based in Tokyo, Japan, which has about 30,000 employees and a global footprint with production facilities around the world. Mitsubishi Motors has a competitive edge in SUVs, pickup trucks and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and appeals to ambitious drivers willing to challenge convention and embrace innovation. Since the production of our first vehicle more than a century ago, Mitsubishi Motors has been a leader in electrification—launched the i-MiEV –the world’s first mass-produced electric vehicle in 2009, followed by the Outlander PHEV –the world’s first plug-in hybrid electric SUV in 2013.For more information on Mitsubishi Motors, please visit the company’s website at https://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/
Copyright ©2023 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Japan Corporate News Network.Japan – Mitsubishi Motors to Showcase a Fulfilling Mobility Lifestyle that Awakens Drivers’ Adventurous Spirit at the Japan Mobility Show 2023
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