Once again, an exciting collection of projects using creative ideas to tackle issues faced by people with disabilities has been gathered to enable everyone to enjoy motorsports without worry.
The Toyota Mobility Foundation, under the banner of Mobility for All, is an initiative for solving mobility issues.
This year was the third year of its idea contest themed on helping people with disabilities enjoy watching motorsports.
This year, over 80 ideas were sent in from around Japan and the world. The ten qualifying teams and seven finalists from last year came together at the event venue Fuji Speedway.
The items were quite varied. For people with visual impairments, there was a pair of smart glasses that can even navigate the Shibuya Scramble Crossing. Another was an e-assist device that is fun for the person pushing a wheelchair and the person being pushed as well. There was even a crowdsourced app that helped wheelchair users experience the joy of being useful to others.
Selection committee member and wheelchair YouTuber Mako Shibuya joined Yuta Tomikawa to experience the many unique proposals made with empathy for people with disabilities.
After three years of demonstrations and testing at the circuit and other locations, the project has expanded its scope and initiated collaboration with new partners.
Everyone involved in these projects is working on solving a different problem and creating a future they want to see. Watch to learn about all the ideas they’ve had to help people with disabilities enjoy watching motorsports.