Objective
FreeWheel promotes social inclusion of disabled and elderly people through a urban mobility solution consisting of a unit integrating an autonomous “smart active” module, multiple custom interfaces and an app. Such a solution can be either rented (a sharing service available at in-door and out-door urban facilities), or sold; in the latter case the unit includes a fully personalized wheelchair.
FreeWheel satisfies the need for customization, both on the user and on the vehicle side, through the implementation of a modular concept based on standard reconfigurable, low-cost modules (e.g. engine, gears, control unit, HMI, etc.) and on ultra-customized interfaces (e.g. body-to-vehicle, engine-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-infrastructure, etc.), produced via additive manufacturing. Re-configurability is achieved through an easy exchange of standard modules in different products.
A further objective is making affordable the lifecycle cost of the above-mentioned mobility service (and/or product) through an innovative business model that offers mobility as a service (independent of vehicle ownership) and by leveraging dematerialization (reduction of manufacturing lead times and investment costs) and product re-configurability.
The expected impact is:
- Social inclusion of elderly and disabled citizens: the project will demonstrate affordability and safety in accessing public spaces in urban areas;
- Short time-to-market: 70% less than the conventional approach.
- Significant cost reduction in the manufacturing of a personalised wheelchair unit as a result of the re-usability and adaptability of personalised products components;
- Ultra-low environmental impact: re-usability of modules and efficient manufacturing leading to more than 70% in environmental impact reduction regarding primary resources consumed while offering this mobility service.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringfibers
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationsmobile phones
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcompositescarbon fibers
- social sciencessocial geographytransportpublic transport
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringmanufacturing engineeringadditive manufacturing
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
IA - Innovation actionCoordinator
10135 Torino
Italy
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Participants (11)
70043 Monopoli
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
6900 Lugano
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
6928 Manno
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
48930 Getxo
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
66030 Santa Maria Imbaro
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
60030 Monsano
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
20122 Milano
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6928 Manno
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265 04 Rio Patras
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Participation ended
W1S 1YH London
261 10 Patra
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