Ruta N and Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) have announced the five projects selected to develop solutions that will improve mobility for all in Medellín, enabling safer, more independent and more accessible journeys.
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.
The call was open to technology-based companies, social organisations, urban collectives, universities, and other stakeholders with experience in mobility, accessibility and human-centered design. Proposals were received from Chile, Brazil, the United States, Greece, Spain and Colombia (Medellín and Cali), representing diverse technical, methodological and territorial approaches.
“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. 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,” said Carolina Londoño, Executive Director of Ruta N.
In Medellín, more than 55% 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.
“We have spent more than ten years working to build a city that is more welcoming to all people and in harmony with the environment. We found that many people are unable to move autonomously, which has pushed us to think more deeply about how to address those everyday challenges through infrastructure and through the work we do as an organization,” said Manuel Londoño of Más Urbano, one of the selected teams.
The five initiatives will implement their solutions in response to the three challenges defined under the program. 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.