Mobility is a privilege we take for granted. And this is not the case: many people, due to age, ailments or other conditions, cannot move as freely as they wish.
This is why I find this WheeM-i created by Italdesign very interesting. The name is a fusion of "Wheelchair Mobility integration", literally "Integration for wheelchair mobility", and it is precisely this. Practically a bike sharing for wheelchair users.
WheeM-i, sustainable micro-mobility
In fact it is a proposal for the first service of micro-mobility shared for users with walking difficulties: as mentioned, a bike sharing for those in a wheelchair.
WheeM-i is a 100% electric and semi-autonomous carrier that brings together the latest driving assistance and electric propulsion technologies. It is specifically designed to allow people with mobility limitations to move freely and easily, because the vehicle makes otherwise hostile parts of the city more accessible.
How WheeM-i bike sharing works
The service is simple and follows that offered by other operators in the sector. Users will be able to book their bike sharing ride from a special app on their smartphone, and collect their WheeM-i at the nearest hub.
Once the ride is over, just like other bike sharing services, the user will be able to return the vehicle to the hub closest to his destination.
It goes without saying that the era of fully autonomous vehicles will also surpass the problems associated with the current model. Which? Well, first of all one: if I am interested in bike sharing to make it easier for me to move around, it is because I have difficulty. And if I have to collect the bike sharing vehicle at a point that is not close enough, it is still a problem.
In the future, such vehicles will move on their own, reaching the user, and all you will have to do is get on board.
“As a company that provides development services to the mobility industry around the world, we firmly believe that future mobility should have a positive impact on everyone's lives. Bike sharing services like WheeM-i are part of this vision that we really hope to realize,” he says Jörg AstaloschCEO Italdesign.
