Ford Brazil is reinforcing its commitment to freedom and mobility through a new car accessory: the Accessibility Mat.
 

In Brazil, there are 46 million people with disabilities. 7% of them have a motor disability, which includes paralysis. However, there is an overwhelming lack of accessibility even in the main Brazilian cities, as many street corners and sidewalks do not have access ramps. Ford Brazil, as an engaged community participant across the country, noticed this alarming problem facing millions and wanted to create a tangible solution in order to reduce the barriers this population faces. 

In partnership with GTB Brazil and Code Studio, Ford Brazil redesigned the Ecosport trunk’s mat to give it a new function: a portable accessibility mat for drivers with disabilities and/or limited mobility. To use it, the driver removes the Accessibility Mat from the trunk, effortlessly folds it, and puts it in the back of their wheelchair for use whenever it’s needed and with minimal physical strain.

The Accessibility Mat also maps the accessibility of the city, and has sensors and a microprocessor that sends Bluetooth signals to the wheelchair user’s mobile phone every time it’s used. An app and a website gather this data, identifying the places in need of accessibility, thus providing local authorities with information so they can make cities easier to navigate and other Accessibility Mat users can anticipate where mobility challenges may arise. 

“We’re providing a new function to car part that already exists, one that's connected to the mindset of the company, which is about freedom and mobility. Through this project we hope to provide further accessibility for disabled drivers and make cities easier to navigate, ” said Vico Benevides, ECD of GTB Brazil.

In creating the prototype, the challenge was to create a product that is both strong and light at the same time. The materials used include airplane aluminum sheets, EVA rubber, PVC fabric, neodymium magnet, pressure sensor and microprocessor Bluetooth.