An InclusiveSpaces webinar was successfully conducted, on April 7, 2025, organised by the University of the Peloponnese (UoP) with the support of TOBEA and SWARCO, all involved in the development of Innovative, Climate-Friendly Assistive Technologies. The webinar brought together 40 attendees, including undergraduate, postgraduate students and researchers from the Departments of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Digital Systems, and Business & Organization Administration at the University of the Peloponnese. Additionally, participants joined from the Technical University of Crete, reflecting broad academic engagement.
The webinar aimed to raise awareness and engage students in the co-design of accessible, inclusive urban and domestic environments by presenting state-of-the art technologies that can be used towards this end. It effectively supported the project’s objectives by introducing the participants to the pressing need for inclusive design and assistive technologies that enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities and other vulnerable social groups, such as the elderly.
The session opened with an overview of the InclusiveSpaces project and its goals, by Dr. Katerina Lamprakopoulou (UOP), sensitizing participants to the importance of accessibility and inclusion in smart environments. The following three technical presentations, delivered by representatives from TOBEA, SWARCO and UOP showcased innovative technologies developed within the project, both for indoor and outdoor assistive applications.
Thinking out of the box engineering applications (TOBEA) for People with disabilities
Stavros Tsantzalis, R&D Director at TOBEA, presented iSEATRAC, an upgraded version of the internationally patented SEATRAC system that enables autonomous access to the sea for people with mobility issues. The enhanced version, to be installed in Larnaka and Hamburg, includes smart sensors, panoramic cameras, real-time environmental monitoring, and accessible data sharing via the web.
He also introduced the Mobility Hub – Kiosk, a solar-powered station designed to support the independent mobility of people with disabilities and other citizens through features like electric scooter charging, smart access via app, and real-time information. Stavros presented these technologies and their requirements, electronic/system architecture, energy management, user interface and secondary functions. These innovations reinforce TOBEA’s commitment to inclusive urban mobility.
Geofencing Technology: Enhancing Urban Mobility for People with Disabilities (SWARCO)
Alessio Coroneo, R&D Manager at SWARCO, presented solutions tailored to urban mobility challenges in Penteli (Athens) and Geneva. In Penteli, a smart crossing system extends traffic light green phases and activates visual alerts when people with disabilities approach crosswalks using a geofenced app. In Geneva, visually impaired users can receive real-time audio updates at bus stops via smartphone-triggered communication.
Both systems leverage GPS, geofencing, and MQTT-based communications to enhance safety and accessibility in real-world scenarios. The use cases and methodology for implementing assistive crossing in Penteli and auxiliary communication in Geneva were fully explained in comprehensive terms for the students – attendees.
Smart Navigation Technology, Enhancing Safety, Mobility and Accessibility in Indoor Environments (UoP)
Konstantinos Antonopoulos, PhD candidate and researcher at ESDA LAB, UoP, showcased assistive indoor navigation technologies under development for use in public buildings in Penteli and Larnaka. These systems use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons, MQTT protocols, and lighting-based guidance to help users navigate safely indoors. A live demo featured real-time localization and smart lighting activation, emphasizing practical application and user empowerment.
All three presentations sparked strong interest, resulting in active discussion and questions from the audience, demonstrating the relevance of the topic and its alignment with the academic and research interests of the participants.
Overall, the webinar not only deepened the understanding of inclusive technologies but also encouraged young researchers to consider how their skills can contribute to societal impact, fully in line with the inclusive innovation and empowerment vision at the core of the InclusiveSpaces initiative.
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