Expérimentation du Yosh-e sur le campus - © UPHF
The Yosh-e Pilot Program on Campus: A Collaborative Approach to Inclusive Mobility
On May 6, the Hauts-de-France Polytechnic University campus hosted a test session on the Gyrovia track for the Yosh-e, an inclusive mobility device developed by a team at Toyota Motor Europe in the spirit of “Mobility for All.”
This trial is part of the Toyota Heritage initiative, leading up to the major international sporting event to be held in Paris in 2024. Several Yosh-e vehicles were donated to UPHF and APF Entreprises Valenciennes.
A mobility device tested under real-world conditions
The Yosh-e is a removable electric traction device that attaches to a manual wheelchair. It transforms the wheelchair into a three-wheeled vehicle with handlebars, making it easier to get around and expanding mobility options.
The test session brought together teams from UPHF, LAMIH UMR CNRS 8201, and APF Entreprises Valenciennes, with the device’s designer, Simone Scarfi (Toyota Motor Europe), in attendance. It provided an opportunity to test the device under real-world conditions and gather concrete user feedback.
A user-centered approach
Three employees with disabilities at APF Entreprises Valenciennes actively participated in the trials, providing essential feedback on the device’s use.
Their feedback was overwhelmingly positive. All of them highlighted that it is a “very interesting solution for enhancing independence when getting around,” with controls they found “intuitive” and “easy to understand.” Beyond its functionality, the device’s design was also well-received.
For Enzo, who already uses a similar device, the difference is noticeable: “On my current device, the controls are positioned on the handlebars. Since I have difficulty with my left hand, I had to adapt everything to the right side, which makes it harder to use.” With the Yosh-e, the approach is different: steering is controlled by a pulling/pushing motion, and settings are adjusted via a screen. “It’s much more comfortable to ride, and more accessible for people with motor difficulties in their hands.”
Expérimentation du Yosh-e sur le campus - © UPHF
Prospects for Research and Experimentation
Several initiatives are being considered to expand this effort:
- → Organizing Yosh-e introductory events open to everyone on campus
- → integration into courses on ergonomics and human-system interaction
- → research on acceptability and user experience
Expérimentation Yosh-e
A Collaborative Approach to Innovation
This pilot project illustrates the momentum driven by the PRIMOH-Tech consortium (UPHF, APF France handicap, APF Entreprises, and Valutec), which aims to combine scientific research, user expertise, field trials, and technical testing and industrialization.
It underscores the importance of designing mobility solutions based on real-world use cases, by closely involving users, researchers, and on-the-ground stakeholders.
Expérimentation du Yosh-e - © UPHF