The ‘third wheel’: bringing sustainable e-mobility to wheelchair users in Nairobi
A blog by Annamae Muldowney, a Frontier Tech implementing Partner
Pilot: Smart Mobility: Using Assistive tech and digital mapping to promote urban accessibility
In Kenya, 42% of people with disabilities face mobility challenges, yet the country's urban environments remain largely inaccessible. That’s around 400,000 citizens with mobility impairments tackling uneven roads, inadequate public transport, and inaccessible infrastructure, becoming further isolated.
Addressing these gaps is crucial to creating an inclusive, accessible future in Nairobi. This is the mission we’re working to on our pilot project: Smart Mobility.
A collaborative effort to improve urban mobility in Kenya
This project, ideated by FCDO Pioneers Anne MacKinnon and Dr. Jacqueline Owigo, is part of an effort to leverage cutting-edge technology and digital tools to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges. It brings in critical subject matter expertise from the Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub), who have partnered with the Frontier Tech Hub to test and learn what is possible. This project builds on research on accessibility in cities and AT innovation from the FCDO-funded AT2030 programme and is receiving ongoing support via AT2030 to maximise impact and evidence-based solutions.
In Kenyan cities, the built environment often exacerbates the difficulties faced by people with disabilities. By introducing a detachable electric 'third wheel' for wheelchairs and exploring digital technologies, the project aims to enhance urban mobility and accessibility for persons with disabilities in low-resource settings.
It has been 12 months since Anne and Jacqueline’s idea was selected to be funded as an FT pilot and the pilot is gaining momentum. Over the past 8 months, we have grown a strong consortium of innovation partners from around the world. We collaborated with product innovators such as MATT from Colombia, NeoMotion from India, and TAI (The Accessibility Institute) from Kenya. These partners bring a wealth of experience in developing mobility solutions tailored to different contexts, and their involvement is key to our success.
Examples of third wheels
To ensure that our approach is grounded in real-world needs, we conducted interviews with these partners and others, including people with lived experiences of disability and companies with on-the-ground knowledge in Kenya. These discussions provided us with incredibly valuable insights, which we later explored in a collaborative workshop. This session was instrumental in brainstorming and refining the next steps required to bring a third wheel attachment to the Kenyan market.
MATT visit to GDI office
Four thematic Insights
1. Innovation and Development of Assistive Technology: Our workshop discussions revealed a strong consensus that while designing a safe and effective product is feasible, it requires a deep understanding of the local environment. Innovators highlighted the need for robust designs that can handle Kenya’s rough terrain and variable weather. The workshop emphasized the importance of local assembly, maintenance and the customization of products to meet specific user needs in Kenya.
2. Accessibility and Affordability: Products currently on the market in other low- and- middle- income countries remain relatively expensive to manufacture and for people on low incomes to buy. Our existing product innovators shared their journeys exploring different ownership and affordability models which we could explore as a pilot:
A rent-to-buy system for the third wheel attachment was widely supported as a means to increase accessibility, where a user could repay smaller repayments for the device over a series of months rather than as one large lump sum. Although successful in some cases, the workshop also uncovered potential challenges, such as the difficulty of payment collection although partners said this can be mitigated by partnering with financial institutions or local organizations.
Pairing ownership with economic opportunities, such as delivery jobs was another key suggestion from the innovators. An example of this took place in Colombia where users were connected with employment opportunities as part of their purchase agreement and a percentage of their salary could then be used to repay the device cost.
These options, and others could solve one of the key barriers to third wheel ownership, affordability. Through our knowledge and connections as a team we will initially explore the employability option in Nairobi with the aim of ensuring device ownership is appealing, affordable and sustainable for users.
3. User Needs and Experiences: A key takeaway from the workshop was the importance of customization. Innovators agreed that modular and adaptable designs would allow the third wheel attachment to meet the diverse needs of wheelchair users. The discussion also highlighted the potential of using apps to support the prescription and customization process as utilised by NeoMotion in India, although it was noted that accessibility to smartphones and the internet might limit this approach for some users.
4. Collaboration and Co-design: The workshop underscored the value of collaboration across all stages of development. Innovators recognized that involving local user groups, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), and government bodies would be crucial for the success of the project. The workshop allowed participants to share insights on their own design processes to ensure that their final product would be well-received and effective in the local context.
The workshop experience
The workshop itself was a dynamic and engaging session where participants used an interactive Miro board to brainstorm and map out the thematic insights gathered from earlier interviews, as outlined above. The collaborative environment fostered open discussion and the sharing of ideas, allowing us to refine our approach and set clear, actionable next steps. Innovators from MATT, NeoMotion, and TAI actively contributed to the conversation, bringing their unique perspectives and experiences to the table. The session concluded with a shared vision for testing the third wheel product in Nairobi, incorporating the feedback and ideas generated during the workshop.
The workshop experience
What’s Next?
As we move into our next phase of work, our focus will shift to bringing the third wheel product into Kenya for on-the-ground testing. This stage is critical as we aim to understand what works (and what doesn’t) when adapting existing products to the Kenyan environment. We will involve potential users in this testing phase, gathering feedback to continue refining and optimising the product for local needs.
Moreover, we are committed to creating a sustainable ecosystem that goes beyond just providing mobility solutions. To fulfil this, we will work to harness employment partnerships that enable people to not only own a device but also improve their economic situation. We believe that this initiative can unlock both mobility and economic opportunities for people with disabilities in Kenya, Leading to a lasting impact on their lives.
We are currently on the lookout for any employment partners who would be interested in supporting this pilot. Do you know who we could collaborate with?
Get in touch with phil@hellobrink.co or a.muldowney@ucl.ac.uk
If you’d like to dig in further…
📚 Check out this pilot’s profile page
