Latest news with #ToyotaMobilityFoundation
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
AI to rescue city burdened by crowds
1 2 Varanasi: The Varanasi Municipal Corporation (VMC) has joined hands with Toyota Mobility Foundation for selection of five organisations through which the challenge of crowd management would be met. Municipal commissioner and chief executive officer of Varanasi Smart City Ltd, Akshat Verma, said that through the Sustainable Cities Challenge, Varanasi was setting a global example of how historic cities could embrace innovation without compromising their core identity. He expressed hope these organisations would be successful in managing crowds in Varanasi and provide significant convenience to pilgrims, tourists and local residents and the world would view Varanasi as a model in crowd management. On Thursday, TMF announced finalists for a three-million-dollar global challenge to transform crowd management in the ancient city of Varanasi. The selected five organisations include innovators involved in sustainable design, mobility data, artificial intelligence, urban planning and human-centred design and their goal was to enhance crowd management to make the historic city safer and more accessible for residents and tourists. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Kate Middleton's Daring Outfit Took Prince William's Breath Away Crowdy Fan Undo Developed in collaboration with VMC, Challenge Works and World Resources Institute, this projectg aimed to improve pedestrian and pilgrim movement in Kashi and to find innovative solutions to crowd-related issues. Millions of pilgrims visit Varanasi round the year. Previously, Toyota Mobility Foundation invited 10 semifinalists from world-class companies to develop their concept within six months. After evaluation by a panel of expert judges, five participants were chosen as finalists based on criteria such as crowd management, effectiveness, supporting data, scalability and team capability. The judges sought solutions that could help manage large crowds, improve safety, accessibility and movement in narrow lanes in order to change crowd behaviour. The solutions also needed to demonstrate a solid understanding of the needs of locals and tourists, as well as implementation feasibility. The first organisation, Arcadis, proposed SANKALP, an integrated ecosystem using real-time data and advanced simulations for proactive crowd management. The second is CITYDATA Inc, introducing CityFlow, a cloud-based solution leveraging big data and AI to monitor and manage crowds in real time without additional hardware. VOGIC AL, developing Behtar-Way, is India's first AI-powered pedestrian navigation platform to guide citizens through safer routes and provide real-time crowd intelligence to officials. Fourth is Prameya Consulting Private Limited, presenting Nayichaal, a phygital AI ecosystem that combines a chatbot, navigation app, wayfinding signage, and a mobility dashboard to enhance mobility and safety. The fifth organisation is The Urbanizer, offering Jan Jatra, a mobility solution that integrates local insights with colour-coded wayfinding and dynamic signage to improve navigation and safety. Each finalist team will receive 130,000 dollars (Rs 1.08 crore) in implementation funding to test and demonstrate their proposed solutions in Kashi. TMF's executive programme director, Pras Ganesh mentioned that the selected five companies would not only work to improve smooth and safe access and mobility in Kashi but also manage crowds effectively in densely populated cities like Varanasi. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and s ilver prices in your area.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Toyota Mobility Foundation unveils finalists for $3 mn challenge to tackle crowd management in Varanasi
The Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) has announced five finalists for its $3 million Sustainable Cities Challenge , aimed at transforming crowd management in the historic city of Varanasi. The finalists will each receive $130,000 to pilot their innovative solutions in Kashi, with the potential to scale across the city. The challenge, launched in collaboration with the Varanasi Municipal Corporation, Challenge Works, and the World Resources Institute, invited global innovators to address congestion and enhance pedestrian and pilgrimage flow in one of India's oldest cities. The five selected teams are: Arcadis: Their 'SANKALP' system integrates mobile technology, real-time data and simulations for proactive crowd management. Offers 'CityFlow', an AI-powered, cloud-based platform using big data and computer vision for real-time crowd insights. VOGIC AI: Developed 'Behtar-Way', India's first hyperlocal, AI-driven pedestrian navigation tool tailored to dynamic urban environments. Prameya Consulting: Introduced 'Nayichaal', a 'phygital' platform combining apps, signage, and dashboards for inclusive and safe mobility. The Urbanizer: Proposed 'Jan Jatra', a people-first wayfinding solution combining digital signage, colour-coded routes, and tactical urbanism. 'These finalists are helping us reimagine movement through Kashi while preserving its cultural essence,' said Akshat Verma, IAS, Municipal Commissioner, Varanasi. 'Their work reflects the spirit of innovation rooted in local realities.' The pilots will be evaluated for long-term impact and scalability, with final implementation grants to be awarded in 2026. The Varanasi challenge is one of three global city challenges under TMF's initiative, alongside Detroit and Venice, aimed at creating sustainable urban mobility solutions worldwide.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Toyota Mobility Foundation picks 5 finalists for $3 million challenge to improve crowd management in Varanasi
The Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) on Thursday, August 7, announced five finalists for its $3 million Sustainable Cities Challenge. The initiative is aimed at improving crowd management in Varanasi's historic city, Kashi. The foundation will award each of the finalists $130,000 in funding to steer their innovative solution that has been designed to improve safety and accessibility for millions of residents and pilgrims. The challenge has been created in partnership with the Varanasi Municipal Corporation, Challenge Works, and the World Resources Institute (WRI). It aims to address critical crowd flow issues through the narrow lanes of the city. The shortlisted solutions showcase a combination of technologies such as AI, big data, and real-time navigation with human-centred urban design. Three of the finalists are from India, while the remaining two are from the US and the Netherlands. From the Indian entries, VOGIC AI introduced the Behtar-Way platform that offers real-time, hyperlocal pedestrian navigation and crowd intelligence for city officials; Premeya Consulting (India) introduced the Nayichaal system that integrates signage, an AI chatbot, and a mobility dashboard to create a safer pedestrian experience; and The Urbanizer showcased Jan Jatra solutions that combine community-driven wayfinding and tactical urbanism to guide pilgrims and visitors. Meanwhile, Arcadis from the Netherlands showed SANKALP, which uses real-time data, mobile tech, and simulations to shift from reactive to proactive crowd management. On the other hand, from the US presented the CityFlow platform that uses generative AI and big data to monitor and manage crowds without additional hardware. Talking about the challenge, TMF's executive program director, Pras Ganesh, said, 'We're excited to see these solutions brought to life, not only to improve movement in Kashi but also to serve as a benchmark for other heritage cities worldwide.' 'These solutions aim to enhance safety and preserve the cultural and spiritual fabric of the city,' said Akshat Verma, Municipal Commissioner and CEO of the Varanasi Smart City project. Verma said that the initiative sets a global benchmark for balancing tradition and innovation. Meanwhile, Avinash Dubedi from WRI added, 'This is about more than congestion; it's about enabling dignified movement for all, including those with special needs.' TMF's Sustainable Cities Challenge is a three-year global initiative that is supporting urban mobility transformation in Varanasi, Detroit, and Venice. Final winners in each city will receive further funding in 2026 to scale their solutions. The $3 million is distributed as $50,000 for 10 semi-finalists to work on their early ideas, $130,000 for five finalists to build working solutions, and three winners will share $1.5 million to implement the best solutions in the city.
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Winners of STAMP innovation challenge announced
The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), and the Electronics City Industries Association (ELCIA), in collaboration with Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) and WRI India, have announced the winners of the Station Access and Mobility Program's (STAMP) innovation challenge. The winners, selected from a pool of 32 applications, are CommuteVerse, Nippon Koei, Orbit Wallet, and Tummoc. They will receive a combined grant of $100,000 to demonstrate their solutions. Pilot demonstrations are set to be rolled out in August 2025 in and around Electronics City. The initiative attempts to leverage behavioural science and technology to help public agencies lower emissions, reduce traffic congestion, and encourage commuters to shift from personal vehicles to shared and sustainable modes of transport. Developing mobility interventions The broader STAMP initiative was launched in 2016 by Toyota Mobility Foundation and WRI India to promote better multimodal integration with the metro. The innovation challenge, as part of the broader initiative, was launched on April 11, 2025, inviting startups, technology firms, and solution providers to co-develop scalable mobility interventions that can increase metro ridership, especially in last-mile segments. It focused on solutions incorporating gamification (offering rewards and incentives for choosing low-carbon commuting options), real-time nudges (deploying contextual, time-sensitive messaging to promote shared and efficient mobility) and inclusive access (improving first- and last-mile connectivity, affordability, and safety using commuter-centric behavioural cues.) 'In this iteration of STAMP, we aim to demonstrate how behavioural science can be seamlessly integrated into transport planning to create practical commuter-first solutions that are sustainable,' said Pras Ganesh, Executive Program Director, Toyota Mobility Foundation Asia. 'Through this challenge, we have seen innovative ideas that can encourage community focused decision-making, and are excited to see these solutions piloted in a real-world setting which sets the stage for replication across Bengaluru and thereafter in other cities,' he added. Winners CommuteVerse BLR is a mobile-based platform designed to create a gamified commuting experience by aligning individual behaviour, employer participation, and transit system feedback, while Tummoc offers features that allow users to discover, plan, and pay for daily commutes involving buses, metro systems, suburban trains, and last-mile services through a single platform. Orbit Wallet integrates transit, payments, and access services into a single card and mobile application. Nippon Koei Business Partners Co., Ltd. (Singapore Branch), part of ID&E Holdings, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, collaborates with regional mobility platforms on road safety initiatives and has developed a 'Healthy City Framework.' Srinivas Alavilli, Fellow, Integrated Transport and Road Safety, WRI India, noted that the challenge offered a data-driven, locally relevant, and scalable model for effective public-private collaboration . The finalists will receive tailored tools for pilot design, business model development and stakeholder engagement, access to mentors, experts, and government stakeholders, and financial support for prototype development and implementation.
Cision Canada
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- Cision Canada
MaRS and Toyota Mobility Foundation renew Mobility Unlimited Hub programming, announce call for second cohort applicants
Ten new ventures will join the program as the inaugural MUH cohort continues to advance personal mobility solutions. , May 1, 2025 /CNW/ - Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) in collaboration with MaRS Discovery District is extending and expanding support for the Mobility Unlimited Hub, a program designed to help startups scale groundbreaking active mobility solutions. The Mobility Unlimited Hub, which launched in 2024, is seeking applications from innovative ventures around the world to join a second cohort. Participants gain access to resources, talent and expert guidance that accelerate their path to market. Applications open Thursday, May 1 and close Thursday, June 12, 11:59 p.m. EST. Applicants are encouraged to attend our v irtual applicant webinar on May 30 at 10 a.m. EST to learn more about the program. Driving innovation in active mobility The Mobility Unlimited Hub accelerates the development and adoption of rehabilitative, assistive and adaptive mobility technologies by fostering collaboration among entrepreneurs, researchers and industry leaders. The program provides pre-growth stage startups with access to industry expertise, funding opportunities and commercialization pathways. Milestones from the inaugural cohort The Mobility Unlimited Hub cohort saw tremendous growth and impact in its first year. Participating startups secured funding, launched new products and expanded into global markets. More than $5 million in funding was secured across the cohort. Braze Mobility Inc. received two patents, helping the company expand into Europe and scale in the U.S. Trexo Robotics Inc. enabled children with mobility challenges to gain greater independence as users of the company's tech took more than 100 million steps. AWL-Electricity showcased its wireless charging solution, the Agile Station, at the Paris Para games in partnership with WHILL France, accelerating its entry into international markets. Axtion Independence Mobility Inc. launched pre-orders in the U.S. for the RAYMEX™ Lift in early 2025 after receiving its establishment registration and device listing from the U.S. FDA. Deaf AI collaborated on a groundbreaking roadway safety project with the Kanata North Business Association and secured other key partnerships and international speaking engagements. Cheelcare is raising $3.5 million, completed a reverse takeover of Departure Bay Capital Corp. and will be publicly listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. Call for applications: Personal mobility ventures encouraged to apply Building on this momentum, the second cohort will connect 10 new startups to the resources and networks needed to bring their innovations to market. Entrepreneurs working on active mobility solutions are encouraged to apply. "At MaRS, we believe startups are the driving force behind breakthrough innovations that make the world more inclusive. The Mobility Unlimited Hub is a testament to what happens when we invest in bold ideas and technologies with the potential to change lives and reach the people who need them," says Grace Lee Reynolds, CEO, MaRS Discovery District. "With this renewal, we are reinforcing our commitment to helping entrepreneurs scale their solutions and transform mobility on a global scale." With more than a quarter of Canadians — or more than eight million people aged 15 years and older — living with one or more disabilities, there is an undeniable need for innovative personal mobility solutions. The Mobility Unlimited Hub seeks to support startups developing scalable technologies to effectively tackle these challenges. "Toyota Mobility Foundation is committed to fostering inclusive mobility solutions that empower people globally," says William Chernicoff, director of global research and innovation for the Toyota Mobility Foundation. "The success of the first cohort has demonstrated the immense potential of this program, and we're excited to welcome a new wave of innovators." Global vision for inclusive mobility The Toyota Mobility Foundation envisions building a global network of hubs, each dedicated to addressing mobility challenges unique to different regions, while contributing to a worldwide movement for accessible mobility solutions. The continued expansion of the Mobility Unlimited Hub in Toronto marks a major step toward achieving this goal. If your organization is interested in joining the Toronto community, please reach out to [email protected]. The Mobility Unlimited Hub's ecosystem operates with the support of a range of organizations, including Access to Success, ClusterBridge, George Brown College, Global Startups, KITE UHN, Linamar iHub, Lynxx, Ontario Home Health, Samaritan Partners, Sheridan College, Schulich Startups, Sixty Degree Capital, Toronto Global, University of Toronto and Woven Capital. Guided by the principle "Nothing about us without us," the program ensures that mobility solutions are co-developed with input from the groups and individuals this technology is designed to serve. Visit the Mobility Unlimited Hub web page for more information about the program, including instructions on how to submit applications for the second cohort. About MaRS Discovery District MaRS Discovery District is a charitable organization and North America's largest urban innovation hub dedicated to helping Canadian technology companies succeed. With a focus on climate, health sciences and other emerging technologies, MaRS supports startups tackling some of the world's most pressing issues. MaRS spans more than 1.5 million square feet of cutting-edge office, lab, meeting and event space in downtown Toronto. MaRS has helped ventures generate $11.5 billion in cumulative revenue, raise $19 billion in funding, and create and maintain more than 33,000 jobs. The MaRS platform also includes MaRS IAF, one of Canada's top seed-stage venture funds. Through its world-class facilities, strategic programs and partnerships, MaRS accelerates the adoption of groundbreaking Canadian technology and bolsters a globally competitive innovation ecosystem. About Toyota Mobility Foundation The Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) was established in August 2014 by the Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) to support the development of a more mobile society in which everyone can move freely. The Foundation underscores TMC's on-going 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. SOURCE MaRS Discovery District
