ROAM AUTOMABLE

Merih Kunur

Enabling Mobility An Immediate Need

Mobility for the physically impaired is a rapidly growing need especially for older people. More people are living longer, wanting and deserving an active life, yet facing reduced physical, mental and social mobility leading to social exclusion and mobility poverty. Existing facilities and equipment are improving but currently inadequate and a new approach is needed. Government is concerned and all those who seek to help acknowledge the need for new thinking, new means, new typologies and new systems. Delegates at the first workshop on Research of Ageing Mobility at the Royal College of Art, arranged by the College, the Helen Hamlyn Centre and the University of Surrey, discussed these issues, presented and generated ideas for research and application, and agreed to act on them.

Robert Gifford, Executive Director, Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, one of two guest provocateurs at the workshop, outlined demographics, reinforcing the requirement, the ageing population and the consumer need. David Sinclair, as Policy Director for Help the Aged, supplied statistical evidence, underpinning the needs and suggested a requirement for inclusive solutions products for all ages, while underlining the street scene context, and infrastructural access.

Looking at ways and means, Professor Dale Harrow, head of vehicle design at the RCA, showed how current research on a related topic (that of transport for emergency care) might help as a role model for Mobility Futures for older people. Professor Peter Stevens of the RCA, who chaired the event, advised and emphasised the opportunity to make a difference, to ameliorate the new poverty of immobility in a mobile society, and the need to respect the dignity of the less able, particularly the older population.

Remove preconceptions ideal timing In considering research requirements, Professor Peter Buckle, head of public health at the University of Surrey, pointed to the market and transport needs and uncertainties, inclusive design, the indicators towards an extensive research platform, and an active lobbying voice. He felt the timing of this initiative was ideal as Government, Transport for London, charities and the health community were all currently focusing on this, at a time when the automotive industry was seeking sustainability and new markets. There was a need to change outmoded thinking and this was a significant research agenda. Professor Harrow spoke too about timing there was an immediate will for a better, more qualitative service as well as a commercial imperative. The key question The key question facing delegates was How can we best design mobility to include older and disabled people? and the Workshop considered future personal mobility needs of the growing number of older and disabled people in both urban and rural environments, and how best to meet their needs through a system approach, recognising safety and quality of life core values. The Workshop focused on primary mobility aids, with particular reference to the mobility scooter, evaluating need, provision, improvements, coupled where possible with all-ability solutions, within social policy and sustainable concerns.

Myth, stigma and immobility Delegates commented on the family context, and the inclusion of children in grandparents lives, the demographic emphasis on women, the country trap into which so many less able people fell, and the stigma attaching to reducing mobility. There was a clear emphasis on the built environment, its intractability, and the need to address the street scene in the context of decreasing mobility. Delegates repeatedly emphasised the problem of access, not simply in terms of surfaces, and into shops, but to the less obvious facilities, such as toilets. During the group workshops, reference was made to legislation and regulation a necessary context for any significant service or product proposals, together with training, insurance and maintenance. There was a requirement also to address mental health, which might affect mobility interfaces. All agreed any solutions must be eco-efficient. The commercial opportunity The ability to produce improvement would depend on manufacturing access, and that would depend on volume, to attract investment. Here was an unusual opportunity for manufacturers, not necessarily currently engaged in the mobility business, to generate image and create brand awareness towards an attractive typology. To eliminate stigma, achieve effective solutions, and respect dignity, mobility products needed to offer comfort, flexibility, ease of access and of use, reliability and a convenient, effective, easily chargeable, long range power source. An inclusive design could generate higher standards, more appeal and reduce mobility poverty. Workshops saw a need to harness technology in terms of information interface, power source, contact connections, and sustainability.

The future action, funding and support The workshops proved above all that the need and the timing was now. Delegates agreed to meet again to further the agreed actions, and ATCare offered to host the next forum.

The Royal College of Art, Helen Hamlyn Centre and University of Surrey have formed an executive partnership to run an initial research programme(with two senior Research Associates commencing in October 2009) and to mount a major funding bid for a long-term, extensive research and design development schedule for a range of prototype services and products. This initiative will be reinforced by a delegate body meeting in forum to review progress, of organisations representing a wide spectrum of interest in the outcomes.