Designing 21st Century Vehicles for People with Disabilities

The Merlin Prize for accessible, autonomous electric vehicles (A2EV) has concluded. We want to thank all of our participants and judges for sharing our mission and developing innovative and inclusive transportation solutions for communities of individuals with physical, sensory, and/or cognitive disabilities. There were 38 incredibly innovative submissions--ideas ranging from a smart and improved steering wheel, smart cane, a rearview mirror that assists drivers who are color blind, and even a service animal robot and a concept for a car with sliding adjustable chairs to accommodate wheelchair passengers. Though Category 1 entries were received, unfortunately none met the criteria (sufficiently high TRL, capable of operating at highway speeds and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Therefore, only Category 2 prizes are being awarded. With the help of the advisors and judges, who have extensive industry and user experience, the Merlin Prize winners are:

1st Prize: Guardian: An In-Vehicle Emergency Detecting Suite ($6,000 USD)

2nd Prize: HawKar ($3,000 USD)

3rd Prize: Piloteer - A Personal Scooter for EVERYONE ($1,000 USD)

Congratulations to the winners! In addition to the cash prizes mentioned above, the Foundation is planning to launch the Annaleigh Grilo Accelerator Program sometime next year. Stay tuned for more details.

Disabilities can make it challenging to access transportation. This can limit people’s opportunities for employment, education, healthcare, and a high quality of life. Here at Team Merlin, we’re looking to change that paradigm; and make transportation truly accessible for all.

Thank you again to everyone who participated in the Prize!

Challenge

On the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (July 26, 2020), The Merlin Prize for accessible, autonomous electric vehicles (A2EV) begins. The Merlin Prize is a global crowd-sourced design challenge focused on developing innovative and inclusive transportation solutions for communities of individuals with physical, sensory, and/or cognitive disabilities. Automotive industry experts predict that electric vehicles (EVs) will eventually surpass gas-powered vehicles and virtually all autonomous vehicles (AVs) are electric. The goal of this design challenge is to proactively address this enormous opportunity to make autonomous, electric vehicles accessible for all.

Background

The World Bank estimates that approximately one billion people in the world have some form of disability. Disabilities can make it difficult to access transportation, which is usually a requirement for employment, education, healthcare, and a high quality of life. As vehicles become increasingly more electric and autonomous, accessible transportation holds enormous potential to empower independent mobility for daily activities, increase socio-economic opportunities, and save billions of dollars annually by allowing people to age in place. Yet virtually none of the emerging electric and autonomous designs are accessible, and transportation options for people with disabilities—especially those requiring the use of wheelchairs—have not changed significantly. Challenges like quickly adapting an EV to make it accessible by individuals that use a wheelchair or electric scooter remain cost-prohibitive due to the extensive reconfiguration required to permit ingress and egress. Unless something changes, the most significant potential beneficiaries of this new technology will have no access to it.

Everyone faces a disability at some point, even if temporarily as the result of injury, sickness, or aging. Sharing or participating in The Merlin Prize is your opportunity to start a global conversation with automotive innovators and help flip the script on current transportation challenges. Together, we can solve one of the world’s most pressing issues and make the future of mobility accessible for all.