About the Hubs
Mobility Unlimited Hubs are for startups that have had initial success developing active mobility products, only to run into challenges taking these innovations to market. Mobility Unlimited Hubs offer a path to successful commercialization, serving as a bridge from early-stage success to entering the mass market.
Ventures that specialize in active mobility experience a distinct go-to-market journey, encountering multifaceted barriers (e.g., stigma, awareness, funding support, resistance to change, adoption) that set them apart from other startups. Addressing these barriers requires a holistic, communal and human-centered approach, and Mobility Unlimited Hubs act as a launchpad to fast-track active mobility ventures through the product development and proof-of-concept phase.
About the Hubs
What is active mobility?
Active mobility is more than getting from A to B. It’s having the autonomy of movement that allows us to be actively independent, like maintaining a favourite exercise routine, commuting to a fulfilling job, visiting family and friends, or setting off to see a new part of the world.
Active mobility combines assistive, accessibility, and rehabilitation technologies to create a more sustainable and self-reliant experience for people living with disabilities.
Assistive Technology: Devices or software designed to help improve a person’s functioning and independence.
Accessibility Technology: Solutions to make digital content, products, services and physical environments more inclusive for a wider range of people, including those with disabilities.
Rehabilitation Technology: Tools and equipment specifically designed to aid individuals in maintaining their independence by reducing, managing or preventing injuries and/or reclaiming control over their environment.
Examples of active mobility technology include: advanced prosthetic limbs, artificial intelligence, chatbots, exoskeletons, e-textiles, haptic technology, motion or eye-tracking technology, robotics, sensors, speech-generating devices, telerehabilitation, virtual and augmented reality, voice assistants, wearables, etc.
Toronto Hub Goals
The inaugural Mobility Unlimited Hub is focused on advancing active mobility solutions. It has three main objectives:
- Identify the most promising active mobility ventures and help them overcome stigma, funding, and commercialization barriers.
- Build support for their success via a curated mix of mentorship, educational programming, access to market intelligence, and a community of collaborators.
- Activate the community of organizations and networks of experts to support growth and commercialization.
Toronto Hub Goals
Eugene Cherny, Cheelcare
Cheelcare - An Ontario-based startup that designs advanced mobility solutions, including power add-ons and complex rehab wheelchairs, to enhance mobility and independence for individuals with disabilities. Their products feature intuitive controls, customizable settings, and robust specifications for improved quality of life.
Francois Beauchamp-Verdon, AWL-Electricity
AWL-Electricity - A Quebec-based startup designing the world’s first autonomous and wireless charging station for motorized mobility aids and the micro-mobility sector. This solution increases user autonomy and integrates into public and commercial spaces without the need for human intervention.
Manmeet Maggu, Trexo Robotica
Trexo Robotics - An Ontario-based startup developing wearable robotic exoskeletons for children with mobility disabilities, enabling them to walk independently. Their Robotic Gait Trainer transforms lives by making walking accessible for children across the world.
Pooja Viswanathan, Braze Mobility
Braze Mobility - An Ontario-based startup offers the world's first blind spot sensors for wheelchairs, providing audio, visual, and vibration alerts to help users avoid obstacles. This solution enhances safety and confidence for wheelchair users by preventing accidents and injuries.
Shubh Mittal, Seleste
Seleste Innovations - A Western Canada-based startup that develops smart glasses specifically designed to assist the blind and visually impaired, enhancing their navigation and interaction with the environment.
Mehdi Masoumi and Azadeh Bojmehrani, Deaf AI
Co-founders
Deaf AI - An Ontario-based startup aims to make society and the digital world more inclusive for Deaf people by providing AI-based real-time voice-to-sign language interpretation. This initiative enhances public and digital accessibility for people with hearing loss.
Tracey McGillivray, Axtion Independence Mobility
Axtion Independence Mobility - A Nova Scotia-based startup that developed the RAYMEXTM Lift, a portable, personal mobility device designed to assist with everyday activities, fall prevention, and recovery.
