Smart Wheels — Intro

Framing the Challenge

In the context of Startup Lab and taking advantage of the IoT (Internet of Things) challenge, we have decided to make something that will have a social impact. We have noticed that despite other European — mostly — cities, in Athens we don’t see a lot of disabled. When we are in a bar, a club or even simply walking on a street we will see very rarely somebody with a wheelchair.

Statistics show that about 10–15% of people in Europe have some form of disability. According to ameaplus.gr, in Greece this number is calculated around 10%. So why despite having the same population of people with disabilities we rarely see them on the streets or entertaining somewhere, while in most of the Europe this is common sense?

The main reason that this is happening is due to the infrastructure of the country. Parked vehicles on the sidewalks as well as small passages don’t allow people with mobility problems. In addition, many bars, restaurants and shops in general don’t support access for the disabled.

As a result these people tend to isolation and avoid going out. The government’s indifference doesn’t help them integrate within the community. Our main goal is to encourage those people to step forward and live a happy and comfortable life within their means. In order to achieve that, we have come up with this solution (click on the link to learn about the next part).

Team: 3 & a Cuckoo

Consisted of: 1)Agis Lamprakis, 2)Eirini Zaveli, 3)Filitsa Makri/Moutousi, 4)Katerina Kaouni, 5)Katerina Kanellopoulou

Many thanks to:Spiros, Betty Tsakarestou and Katerina Vlassopoulou