Five Projects Selected by Ruta N and Toyota Mobility Foundation Support Inclusive Mobility in Medellín

• The call for proposals received submissions from six countries and has advanced to a pilot phase featuring technological, social, and community-based solutions.

• The initiative aims to improve mobility for people with reduced mobility in the Manrique and Aranjuez districts, which have the highest number of residents with physical disabilities in the city.

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:

1. Brazo Amigo: Enhances independence for wheelchair users through a technological traction solution, tested and proven under real-world city conditions.
   
   
2. Solyon: An AI-powered digital assistant that enables people with reduced mobility to plan their public transit trips easily through a conversational interface.
   
   
3. EAFIT University: Optimizes transit access using an analytical data model that identifies the most efficient and safest routes for users with disabilities.
   
   
4. El Comité: Improves the bus boarding experience through a social intervention and technical tool designed to eliminate barriers at transit system stops.
5. 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 organizations, 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.

“The selected innovator cohort reflects Medellín and Aburra Valley’s strong culture of innovation. Resident and rider voices are vital in guiding the path to mobility independence. Tackling challenges like accessible mobility requires collaboration with local stakeholders, and we’re excited to work with this cohort and the community they serve”, said Lorielyn Mills, Program Director, Toyota Mobility Foundation.

With a total budget of COP 1 billion (approx. USD 250,000), the strategy will allocate COP 500 million to its MVP phase. The entire project will take place in Districts 3 (Manrique) and 4 (Aranjuez), areas identified by the Local Registry (RLCPD) as having the highest concentration of people with physical disabilities in the city.

About Toyota Mobility Foundation

Toyota Mobility Foundation (Chair Akio Toyoda) was established in August 2014 by Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) to support the development of a more mobile society in which everyone can move freely. The Foundation underscores Toyota’s ongoing 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.

“TMF aims to create a truly mobile society that will help people live better lives no matter where they are,” said Chair Akio Toyoda.

About Ruta N

One of Ruta N’s strategic goals is to make Medellín a smarter, more agile, and centered on the citizen experience. Therefore, having a district that learns, anticipates, and responds to improve people’s lives is one of the Corporation’s top priorities. This alliance sets a precedent for building a smarter district, one where citizens’ needs and priorities are at the heart of urban regeneration.