Please note that entries to the Mobility Unlimited Challenge are now closed. You can meet our finalists here. Read on to find out more about what the Challenge is and how it works.
- What is the Mobility Unlimited Challenge?
The Mobility Unlimited Challenge is a $4 million global challenge to transform the lives of people with lower-limb paralysis. This unique challenge seeks teams of innovators (the world’s problem-solvers) to create game-changing technology that will help radically improve the mobility and independence of those with lower-limb paralysis.
- What are challenge prizes?
Challenges highlight a defined problem and offer rewards (in the form of both financial and non-financial support) to innovators who can solve them. They are a tried and tested way of supporting and accelerating innovation and are used widely in the public, private and social sectors around the world. More information on the use of challenge prizes is available from the Nesta Challenges hosted website. (https://challenges.org/).
- Who is running the Mobility Unlimited Challenge?
The Mobility Unlimited Challenge is being run by the Toyota Mobility Foundation in partnership with Nesta Challenges.
- Who is the Toyota Mobility Foundation?
The Toyota Mobility Foundation was established in August 2014 to address urban transportation challenges and expand personal mobility for all people. The Foundation aims to inspire the next generation of mobility solutions by sharing Toyota’s expertise in technology, safety, and the environment with partners at universities, governments, non-profit organizations, research institutions and other organizations to address mobility issues around the world. More information can be found at http://toyotamobilityfoundation.org
- Who is Nesta?
Nesta is a global innovation foundation. It backs new ideas to tackle the big challenges of our time, through its knowledge, networks, funding and skills. Nesta works in partnership with others, including governments, businesses and charities. It is a UK charity that works all over the world, supported by a financial endowment.
To find out more visit www.nesta.org.uk - Who is Nesta Challenges?
Since its foundation in 2012, Nesta Challenges has rapidly grown its reputation, establishing strategic partnerships with the UK Government’s Cabinet Office, EU Commission, USAID, Gates Foundation, UNDP as well as some of the UK’s largest providers of small and medium enterprise banking. It is now an internationally renowned centre of expertise in the design and development of challenge prizes for societal impact. To date, the Centre has successfully designed and delivered numerous successful challenges of differing scales and has a suite of challenges that are currently ongoing.
To find out more visit https://challenges.org/ - Why is Toyota Mobility Foundation running the Challenge?
The mission of the Toyota Mobility Foundation is to enable more people to go more places by sharing knowledge, partnering with others, & using their innovative spirit to build a more joyful mobile society.
In service of its mission, Toyota Mobility Foundation has created the Mobility Unlimited Challenge to attract a diverse pool of innovators and encourage them to push boundaries, explore uncharted territory, challenge the status quo and go beyond what seems possible in order to change lives.
- How is this linked to Toyota?
Toyota Mobility Foundation is an independent charitable foundation that is registered as a General Incorporated Foundation in Japan. Set up by Toyota, the Foundation reflects Toyota’s vision of “Mobility for All”, promoting the power and joy of mobility.
- What are the aims of the Mobility Unlimited Challenge?
The Mobility Unlimited Challenge seeks to enhance the mobility and independence of people with lower-limb paralysis by incentivizing innovation and the creation of smart assistive mobility devices that incorporate smart intelligent systems to deliver new and improved functionality and usability.
To support its aim, the Challenge will seek to incentivize innovation and attract innovators from different fields, as well as motivate existing innovators in the assistive technology space, through the provision of financial support and non-financial incentives to minimize the barriers facing new and/or smaller innovators.
- Why focus on (lower-limb) paralysis?
Paralysis is highly prevalent globally and has a diverse range of forms that have dramatic impacts on mobility and independence. This impact is exacerbated by a lack of inclusive design in society and limitations in assistive technology.
Although mobility is a fundamental part of being independent, globally, society is not fully inclusive to millions of people with paralysis. They face barriers to their mobility, and therefore their independence, through discrimination, inaccessible built environments and inadequate technology.
Personal mobility devices can help overcome some of these barriers. However, at present they do not fully meet the needs of users due to limitations in functionality and usability. On top of this, the pace of innovation to address this is slow due to disincentives such as small and fragmented markets, regulatory burden, and difficulties in getting new technology paid for by healthcare systems and insurers. This can make the field unattractive to new entrants, and prevent innovative solutions from existing innovators getting to market.
We know the field could benefit from technologies and innovators from outside the assistive technology field, as well as from greater support to those in the field. Our ambition is that the Mobility Unlimited Challenge attracts and supports smaller innovators who might otherwise struggle to break into the assistive technology market. This includes start-ups, smaller companies, university departments and spin-outs.
- Why the focus on smart personal assistive mobility devices that incorporate intelligent systems?
Smarter assistive mobility devices have the potential to deliver real improvements for people. The incorporation of intelligent systems could allow devices to integrate better with their bodies and their environment, increasing the range and quality of their mobility and providing more intuitive control. In order to achieve this the field could benefit from technologies and innovators from outside the assistive technology field as well as from greater support to those in the field.
- How long will the Mobility Unlimited Challenge run for?
The Challenge runs for 3 years, from November 2017 to September 2020.
- When does it start/end?
The Mobility Unlimited Challenge launched on November 16th 2017, and the final winner will be announced in September 2020.
- How is the Challenge structured?
The Challenge is divided into two key stages; the entry period and the finalist stage. During the entry period, you will have the opportunity to learn more and enter the Challenge, as well as apply for a Discovery Award to help finance your application (if needed). After the five finalists have been announced, we then move into the Finalist Stage, when these teams will receive $500,000 to develop their devices. The Finalist Stage ends with the announcement of the winner in September 2020.
- What are the key dates of the Challenge?
Global Launch and Opening of Entry Period 16 Nov 2017
Deadline for entries to Discovery Awards 7 Feb 2018 (23:59 GMT)
Announcement of Discovery Awardees 11 Apr 2018
Deadline for Entries to the Challenge 15 Aug 2018 (23:59 BST)
Announcement of Finalists 14 Jan 2019
Deadline for Finalist Written Submissions 8 Jun 2020 (23:59 BST)
Announcement of the Winner September 2020
*further dates will be announced as they are confirmed.
- What is the challenge pot?
The prize money is $4 million total. It will be in multiple prizes: Discovery Awards, Finalist Development Grants, and the Prize.
- What was available through the Discovery Awards?
The Discovery Awards, taking place during the entry period, took the form of 10 $50,000 seed grants to support teams to enter the Challenge.
- What is a Finalist Development Grant?
Finalist Development Grants were awarded to five teams in January 2019. Finalists are receiving a $500,000 to develop their products. You can meet our finalists team here.
- What is the Prize?
At the end of the Finalist Stage, one of the five Finalists will be chosen to receive $1,000,000 to help them take their product to market.
- What currency denomination will the challenge pot be distributed in?
US dollars.
- What support is available through the Challenge?
As well as the US$500,000 finalist development grant, finalists will receive all the relevant guidance on their journey, including but not limited to key dates, document templates, assessment process and criteria.
- What support will be offered by Toyota as part of the Challenge?
The Challenge is being run by the Toyota Mobility Foundation, an independent charitable foundation, endowed by Toyota. While they are a separate entity, TMF are able to draw on Toyota networks. On top of the financial support offered, finalists will have to access mentoring opportunities from leading experts, potentially including Toyota engineers. Actual support offered will be tailored to the finalists, depending on their needs.
- What opportunities for collaboration are available through the Challenge?
The Challenge hopes to recruit a diverse range of innovators, and therefore we encourage collaboration. For example, during the entry period, you will create a profile on our website where you can indicate that you want to collaborate with others.
Please note that entries to the Mobility Unlimited Challenge are now closed. You can meet our finalists here. Read on to find out more about what the Challenge is and how it works.”
- What kind of products or ideas are you looking for?
- An autonomous powered wheelchair that can detect holes, curbs and obstacles in the environment and respond automatically to avoid crashes or falls.
- A device (or software patch) that can be attached to a wheelchair to monitor the user’s body and activity. Generating data on user’s body that can be used to support their wellbeing and continued independence as well as configure the wheelchairs functionality to deliver improved functionality e.g. longer battery life.
- A powered lower limb orthotic brace that monitors the user’s power input and varies the power assistance it provides in line with the user’s need, maximizing the use of the user’s body and residual body function.
- A robotic exoskeleton device that contains an in-built fall detection and prevention mechanism.
- A wheelchair that reads and responds to the user’s intention.
- A robotic exoskeleton device that provides smooth and fluid motion by monitoring the environment and the user’s body with a higher level of accuracy than was previously possible.
- A device that has not yet been created that could replace the wheelchair as a daily mobility device.
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The final Prize will be made to the prototype device capable of user demonstrations that best meets the Challenge’s aims as set out in the challenge statement. The winning prototype device will deliver demonstrable improvements to users’ mobility and independence and have a viable route to market.The following are examples of the types of entries that the Challenge could receive:
- What kind of devices would not be eligible for the Challenge?
The listed examples are not eligible for the Challenge because they would not facilitate achievement of the Challenge’s aim to improve the mobility and independence of people with lower-limb paralysis or they sit outside the scope of the Challenge.
- A device that is not suitable for use by a person with lower-limb paralysis
- A device that goes places for the user without their being there E.G. a robotic device that goes to the shop piloting by a person with lower-limb paralysis who stays at home
- Any device that incorporates invasive technologies such as implants or anything else that requires elements to be inserted or surgically attached into the user’s body
- Cars or other transportation technologies
- Any device that does not involve the incorporation of intelligent system(s)
- What stage of development do you expect the submitted products/ideas to be?
At the entry stage, we are looking for products that have the potential to meet the judging criteria. You will be expected to enter with an idea that has been considered, and understand the route you would need to take to get your device to market.
- What are personal assistive mobility devices?
Personal assistive mobility devices are devices to support mobility such as wheelchairs, exoskeletons, braces etc. These devices make everyday life easier for someone who has limited mobility.
- What do you mean by innovative?
Innovation could involve coming up with a brand new idea, combining things in a new way, or finding new ways of making existing solutions work better. The best innovations often involve reorganizing processes or the way people interact with a product.
The Mobility Unlimited Challenge wants to incentivize innovation through the creation of smart assistive mobility devices that incorporate smart intelligent systems to deliver new and improved functionality and usability.
- What do you mean by co-creation?
In simple terms, co-creating an idea means developing, testing and refining the device with the people it’s meant to benefit. For the purpose of this Challenge this can mean that either a potential user is part of the team developing the device or that the users are involved through comprehensive consultation and user-testing during the development of the device. Entrants will be expected to demonstrate how co-creation with people with lower-limb paralysis who are representative of device’s eventual users has shaped the creation and development of their device.
For the Challenge, co-creation is very important, and therefore is a key entry criterion. Your product needs to meet a need and demonstrate a genuine understanding of the wants and needs of people with lower-limb paralysis.
- What is user-centred design?
User centered design (UCD) is a design process that focuses on user needs and requirements. For the Challenge, this means you will be required to co-create your device with the devices intended audience by ensuring that users are involved through comprehensive consultation and user testing during development.
- What do you mean by ‘smart personal assistive mobility devices that incorporate intelligent systems’?
Smart or intelligent system could include Artificial Intelligence, machine learning or other technologies. They are systems comprising sensors and processors, taking a sense input and automatically transforming it into an output. Incorporating these into your device could be accomplished through improved dynamic response to one or more of the following: user intention, surrounding environment, user’s body or the functional parameters of the device.
- What are anti-social forces?
Anti-social forces are defined under Japanese law, you can find the definition here.
lease note that entries to the Mobility Unlimited Challenge are now closed. You can meet our finalists here. Read on to find out more about what the Challenge is and how it works
- Who can enter the Mobility Unlimited Challenge?
The Challenge is open to all - designers, engineers and technologists across the spectrum. We are not prescriptive. The Toyota Mobility Foundation and Nesta Challenges want to break down barriers to entry for teams with great ideas.
The ambition is that the Mobility Unlimited Challenge also attracts and supports smaller innovators who might otherwise struggle to break into the assistive technology market. This includes start-ups, smaller companies, university departments and spin-outs. The Discovery Awards provided seed funding of $50,000 for ten groups with promising concepts, but who lacked the resources to enter the main Challenge. The Awards were based on financial need. Recipients of these Awards used the funds to develop credible entries to the Challenge. - I have entered my idea into another competition; can I submit the same product to this competition?
Yes, you can enter even if you have entered another prize or competition. Please make sure you provide relevant and specific answers to the entry questions for this challenge.
The other competition may have rules about you entering your idea in more than one competition. It is your responsibility to check this before you enter this challenge.
- I have an idea but I don’t have the expertise to develop it by myself. Can you help me?
We are unable to help directly, however, throughout the entry period, you will be able to create a profile (function launching soon) on our website on where you can state that you are looking to collaborate with others.
- Is there an age limit for the entrants?
Yes, according to the terms & conditions the entrants must have reached the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence at the time of entry.
- Are there any countries that can’t enter the challenge?
As per our terms and conditions, we will not accept entries from any entrant based in a country that is subject to UN arms embargo.
- Do I need to be a part of an incorporated entity in order to enter?
No, you do not have to be a part of an incorporated entity in order to enter the Challenge. However, if you are selected as a Discovery Awardee or a Finalist, you will need to incorporate before you can receive the grant funding.
- I have other funding or investment, can I enter?
Yes, you can enter even if you have other funding or investment. However, it is your responsibility to check if there are any conflicts in entering the Challenge within the terms of that funding or investment.
- How many entries can I make?
You can submit as many entries as you want. We will accept one entry per product idea.
- Can I be part of more than one team?
Yes, you can be part of more than one team to enter the Challenge.
- Will I be required to travel if I enter the Challenge?
Yes, some travel may be required if you enter the Challenge. Teams shortlisted for a Finalist Development Grant will be required to attend a 4-day Induction Camp (Mar 2019, location TBC likely US or Europe), the 2-day Pre-Submission Workshop (Jan 2020, location TBC US or Europe), physical testing and the judging panel (mid-2020, Pittsburgh, USA), and, the announcement and demonstration (Aug/Sept 2020, Tokyo). Travel should be factored in to your budget, however, we recognise that these budget items will be subject to reasonable adjustments as details are confirmed.
You will be expected to bring a user for the physical testing and for the user demonstration in 2020.
Please note that entries to the Mobility Unlimited Challenge are now closed. You can meet our finalists here. Read on to find out more about what the Challenge is and how it works.
- How do I enter?
To enter the main Challenge, you will need to enter using an online form that can be accessed via our website.
For more information on how to enter, as well as tips and suggestions, please read our Innovator Handbook. - When is the deadline for online entries?
The deadline for entries to the Challenge is 23:59 BST on 15 August 2018.
- How do I access the entry form?
The entry form can be accessed via this link. You will be taken to the submission and assessment platform (Submittable). New users will be asked to register first to access the entry form. You can save your entry and come back to it later using the same registration details.
Please note we only accept entries submitted electronically.
- How do I enter if I can’t use Submittable (the submissions and assessment platform)?
If you are unable to access Submittable due to an accessibility issue, please get in touch with the team at mobilityunlimited@challenges.org in advance of the deadline.
- Is there a registration fee?
No. The Prize is free to enter.
- Can I edit my entry once I have submitted it?
Yes, you can send an email to mobilityunlimited@challenges.org and request for your entry to be opened for editing. Please note, you can only do this before the deadline on the 15th August, 2018.
- Can I remove my entry once I have submitted it?
Yes, you can send an email to mobilityunlimited@challenges.org and request for your entry to be removed.
- Can I get some advice on how to best enter the competition?
If you have enquiries about how to enter the competition please e-mail mobilityunlimited@challenges.org or use our online contact form. Before contacting us, please ensure you have read all of the FAQs as well as the Innovator Handbook.
- What language can I submit my entry in?
The official language of the prize is English. All entries must be in English.
- How can I contact the challenge team?
You contact the team at mobilityunlimited@challenges.org.
- What were the Discovery Awards?
The Mobility Unlimited Challenge’s Discovery Awards sought to break down financial barriers that could prevent people or teams from entering the Challenge. They provided financial support to fund the development of teams’ entries to the Challenge. Discovery Awards were given based on financial need and subject to the same eligibility and judging criteria, with consideration given to the fact that the entries were at an earlier stage of development.
- What were the aims of the Discovery Awards?
The Mobility Unlimited Challenge wants to attract and support smaller innovators who might otherwise struggle to break into the assistive technology market. This includes start-ups, smaller companies, university departments and spin-outs. The Discovery Awards provided seed funding of $50,000 for ten groups with promising concepts.The Awards were based on financial need and were given to those who lacked the resources to enter the main Challenge. Recipients of these grants used the funds to develop credible entries to the Challenge.
- Who can enter the Discovery Awards?
The Discovery Awards were open to anyone who would otherwise have a financial barrier to entering the main Challenge. Discovery Awards were given based on financial need and subject to the same eligibility and judging criteria, with consideration given to the fact that the entries were at an earlier stage of development.
- What is the deadline for the Discovery Awards?
The deadline for applications for the Discovery Awards was 23:59 GMT on 7 February, 2018.
- What can Discovery Awardees spend the $50,000 grant on?
The grant must be used by the Discovery Awardees to support their entry into the main Challenge. Please see the Discovery Awards Terms and Conditions for more information.
- If I receive a grant, who will I be contracting with?
Grant agreements will be made between the Toyota Mobility Foundation and the entrant. Please see the Discovery Awards Terms and Conditions for more information.
- If I’m not successful in the Discovery Awards, can I still enter the Challenge?
Yes, if you were not successful in the Discovery Awards, you are still eligible to enter the main Challenge.
- Do I have to enter the Discovery Awards to be eligible for the Finalist Development Grants / Finalist Stage?
No, you do not have to apply to the Discovery Awards to be eligible for the Finalist Stage. The Discovery Awards are intended to break down financial barriers for teams that would otherwise not be able to enter the Challenge. If you do not require a Discovery Award, we encourage you to proceed with your entry to the Challenge.
- When will the finalists be announced?
Finalists were announced in January 2019.
- How long does the finalist stage last?
The finalist stage will run until September 2020, when the overall winner will be announced.
- Who will decide on the finalists?
We brought together a high-profile panel of judges, whose combined expertise covers a wide range of areas. The judges’ profiles are published on the Challenge website. The judges’ decision was based on assessments against the criteria to ensure that the finalists’ ideas accurately met the challenge statement.
- How will the finalists be selected?
Five finalists were selected based on the judging criteria. At the entry stage we were looking for products that best demonstrated the potential to meet the judging criteria.
- What is the judging criteria?
The judging criteria against which all entries were assessed included: Innovation, Insight & Impact, Functionality & Usability, Quality & Safety, Market Potential & Affordability. See the judging criteria section of the Innovator Handbook for more information.
- What funding will finalists receive?
Finalists receive financial support in the form of a $500,000 Finalist Development Grant to help them develop their product.
- What can finalists spend the US$500,000 grant on?
The grant must be used by the finalists to develop their product. Please see of our Terms and Conditions for more information.
- What kind of support is being offered during the finalist stage?
The finalists receive financial support and relevant guidance on their journey, including but not limited to key dates, document templates, assessment process and criteria.
- What can finalists expect during finalist stage?
The finalists receive financial support and relevant guidance on their journey, including but not limited to key dates, document templates, assessment process and criteria.
- What will be expected from finalists during the finalist stage?
The Finalists are expected to develop and test their products. They are also expected to write regular blogs and attend relevant events. To select the winner of the challenge, all finalists will be required to submit written documentation and present their ideas to judges at the final judging panel.
- How long will finalists have during the finalist stage to develop their prototype?
To select the winner, finalists will participate in live demonstrations and a judging panel to take place in July/August 2020 (date to be confirmed). The public announcement of the winner and showcase will likely take place in September 2020.
- What happens to the entrants that don’t make it to the finalist stage of the Challenge?
Although we unfortunately are not able to support all entrants, we are looking at ways of signposting applicants to other opportunities and support.
- What is the Prize and who will win it?
An amount of $1,000,000 will be awarded to the Finalist that best demonstrates meeting the judging criteria.
- Who will decide on the winner?
The judging panel will select the winners of the Mobility Unlimited Challenge.
- When will the winner be announced?
The winner will be announced at the in September 2020.
- Is there a guaranteed winner?
No, the distribution of the prize fund will depend on performance against our criteria. We will only award the prize money if the judges consider an entry or entries to have met or exceeded the challenge criteria. Please also read the Terms and Conditions.
- Are there any rules about how I can spend the money if I win?
The money needs to be spent on the product development. The Prize will be awarded in the form of a grant contract with agreed deliverables. Read our Terms and Conditions for more information. More information will be provided to the awardees.
- Once the Challenge has ended, then what?
Hopefully, this will just be the start! We hope that finalists and the winner will be in a position to continue to develop their products and potentially get them to market.
- Who retains the intellectual property for my idea?
The entrant will retain intellectual property of the idea, subject to the Challenge Terms and Conditions.
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What do I do if I think that another team is copying my idea for winning the Challenge?
Contact us at mobilityunlimited@challenges.org.
- Do I have to have regulatory approval for my device?
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No, you do not have to have regulatory approval for your device to be eligible to enter the Challenge. However, you should have already considered how you intend to meet regulations as you develop your device.
