Creating infrastructure to support people with mobility issues is one of the main priorities at both European and national level. However, investment in infrastructure is limited to outdoor areas and less emphasis is given to the development of shared indoor infrastructure based on advances in information and communication technologies (ICT). Eliminating social discrimination is a global goal, so businesses and innovative ideas that meet this goal are not only welcome but also necessary. According to Eurostat, in the European Union there are more than 127 million people with mobility problems. Improving the life quality of people with mobility issues, meets two ends, it’s a criterion in a developed society, and an important market to exploit for any company which decides to invest in this sector.
For a person with mobility problems, daily shopping in a supermarket or mall, can be an opportunity for their socialization and therefore improve their life quality. When a disabled person enters a supermarket or mall, the accessibility chain is interrupted mainly at two points.
Initially, the available baskets become more and more difficult to handle as they become heavier when groceries are mounted. Handling the heavy basket is troublesome especially for the elderly. In addition, wheelchair users are not able to access products on higher shelves.
Based on the above observations, weaknesses and guidelines at both national and European level, the aim of this proposal is to design and develop an integrated end-to-end solution for the development of new innovative support services for people with mobility issues.
Finally, with the aim of a complete, scalable and mature solution, it is critical to develop an appropriate IT platform that will undertake the control, coordination, storage, processing and presentation of all necessary data or events of interaction with the user, with a reliable, secure and personalized way.
The vehicles that will be introduced in combination with the ICT infrastructure in the surrounding area and with the offered services, will have significant social effects, as they will allow people with mobility difficulties to carry out their purchases independently in a supermarket or in a shopping center.
At the heart of the proposal is the design and development of an innovative shopping cart, which will facilitate the circulation and collection of items / products within the supermarket. Therefore, the space in which the vehicle will be driven should be properly designed and equipped with innovative systems that will constantly work together to provide the relevant services.
For this purpose, this Partnership was created with the participation of an innovative company that specializes in solutions for people with mobility difficulties and two research organizations, with the aim of linking research and innovation and enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of SMEs
