Developed a bus designed to connect plants and people by being a portable space where anyone can spend some quality time with nature and even learn new ways to interact with it.  

Created a carbon cycle within a viaduct itself, using green design and IoT sensors, to make better use of the space under the viaduct and reduce pollution.

Designed “GreeNomad” which is a bus with a green space onboard. It departs from a park and heads towards another, providing convenient access to green spaces, especially for residents who are distant from parks.

Developed platforms and ramp elevators that move through a park autonomously to bridge level differences making the space safer and easier for individuals with disabilities to enjoy.

Renovated existing bus stops into “Green Stops” to mimic green spaces while making them welcoming and beneficial to the public, especially for individuals with disabilities.

Created a walking assist exoskeleton to help individuals with weak lower limbs enjoy the health benefits of walking to and through green spaces.

Designed the “Go-Green” app, which is an integrated solution for helping community members identify nearby greenspaces based on their needs and preferences, as well as secure transportation to their selection.

Developed “Eco Wheels,” a bus outfitted with greenery offering passengers daily doses of greenery while commuting for their daily activities.

Created an inclusive bridge at a local park which will allow individuals with disabilities to access and move through the park with ease.

Integrated reminders into public transportation service apps to motivate people to visit green spaces more often.

Designed a virtual reality interface which allows remote access to green spaces, giving individuals with disabilities or limited mobility the chance to benefit virtually from green spaces.

Developed an app to help transport people via local bus routes to nearby green spaces. The app also encourages users to reap the wellbeing benefits of personal plant care.

Tyler is a Regional Sales Manager for Otis in Chicago, Illinois, and a mentor to the student team at Uplift Community High School, helping them generate creative new ideas for addressing the challenges that climate change presents to inclusive mobility. By combining windmill and solar panel technology, these young innovators developed a way to provide light and heating to bus stop waiting areas without further taxing the energy infrastructure — while simultaneously making the community safer and more comfortabale for daily commuters. 

Reflecting on the project, Tyler said his favorite part was interacting with the high school students and opening their eyes to future opportunities.

Toshiharu works in the Management Department, Quality Division of Nippon Otis in Tokyo, and he also studied meteorology and environmental science at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. He was excited to use that knowledge and experience to support the students he worked with during the Made to Move Communities challenge.

Many people’s need for mobility is greatly affected by climate change, and climate change must be mitigated, Toshiharu said. I was able to hear innovative ideas from the students that I had never imagined. 

Kelvin is a Talent Acquisition Manager for Otis China, and he’s also a mentor for the team from China Jiliang University, a contender in the third year of the Made to Move Communities challenge with their solution that repurposes wasted energy for improved efficiency.

Kelvin recalls the development process fondly. I remember the first brainstorming session we had was at 10PM on a Friday night. The students had just returned to the dorm after studying late and immediately got into the online discussion. All of us put forward our creative ideas and analyzed them in terms of their relevance, innovativeness and potential. They were fully engaged and passionate throughout the challenge. 

Sonia is the Talent Development & Inclusion Lead for South East Europe and has experienced the impact of climate change firsthand in Italy, with hotter, drier summers causing difficulties with irrigation and winters being unseasonably warm. If we haven’t been able to solve the problems, we need to support the future’s leaders to do better than us, she said.

The student’s enthusiasm and commitment are incredible, Sonia says. I think we all feel energized by their passion, and we also feel a huge sense of responsibility. We have to support them because they really want to be part of the solution.