NILG.AI

Out of 53 applications, the judges selected 18 projects. Among them, NILG.AI earned the second-highest score for its innovative solution to improve mobility for wheelchair users.

We are deeply passionate about using data intelligence to create positive change in communities. This challenge, therefore,  gave us the opportunity to do just that.

The challenge

The presence of multiple mobility barriers significantly limits wheelchair users from following a direct path on the street. As a result, wheelchair users must carefully plan the route they will take ahead of time. 

However, information about the accessibility of public spaces remains not easily accessible nor updated. Consequently, wheelchair users often face difficult and risky decisions, such as moving onto the road to bypass an obstacle.

NILG.AI’s AI Solution

To address this issue, we developed SafeJourney, an AI-powered solution that leverages Deep Learning trained with satellite, street, and geographical data to calculate an accessibility index for users of electric and mechanical wheelchairs. 

We considered the accessibility index based on factors such as: sidewalk irregularities, crosswalk width, ramp availability, and regional slope, among other indicators. It will be calculated for thousands of points in Lisbon, providing information about what regions are friendlier for users in wheelchairs.

In the long run, this solution will not only benefit wheelchair users but also businesses such as restaurants and real estate agencies. These service providers will be able to offer more detailed accessibility information, helping individuals make informed decisions about the areas they visit or live in.

At NILG.AI, we strongly believe in the power of technology to address mobility challenges. For this reason, we are proud to contribute to a future where vulnerable communities become more inclusive and accessible

Check our initial progress here.

Are you looking to implement a solution like this one in your business? Contact us!

Disclaimer

This project – to be released under (CC BY-ND 4.0) – will be developed until August 2023, and is a part of Open Call Vox Pop Lisboa, which is co-funded by Câmara Municipal de Lisboa and Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional, through the initiative “Ações Urbanas Inovadoras (UIA)”. 

This Project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund through the Urban Innovative Actions Initiative.