Eleven innovators have secured a share of more than £1 million to develop and test solutions that remove barriers across the UK’s transport system.
The funding has been awarded through Scaling Innovation, the National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat) programme delivered with consortium partner Connected Places Catapult.
Scaling Innovation brings together funding, research evidence, lived experience and specialist expertise to support organisations developing practical solutions to evidence-based accessibility challenges. It helps promising accessible transport innovations progress from early-stage concepts towards testing, practical application and wider adoption.
The innovators were among 16 organisations selected in April 2026. Following an initial development and assessment phase, 11 organisations have been successful and selected to progress with further ncat funding, they are:
- 4SB Mobility
- Applied Information Group
- Digital Creativity in Disability
- GoodMaps
- Inclutech
- Mechara Technologies
- MVINE
- Neatebox (WelcoMe)
- Skills for People
- Spoken Ink (Whoosh)
- Video Window
The phase 2 cohort comprises five trials, five pre-demonstrators and one proof of concept. The projects address three priority challenges: improving vehicle stop design, enhancing travel assistance services and improving access to information.
The innovations include an automated battery-swap system designed to remove barriers that disabled drivers can encounter when using plug-in electric vehicle chargers, and an inclusive flight-planning service that enables information about mobility aids to be shared securely with airlines, airports and ground-handling teams.
Other projects will enable disabled passengers to communicate their access requirements to transport staff before travelling, request assistance without relying on telephone calls, and access on-demand support through video kiosks in transport hubs.
Further initiatives include accessible journey planning and navigation technology, an open standard for sharing information about walking and wheeling routes, and a national approach to identifying suitable charging locations for powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
Phase 2 proposals were assessed against progress made, potential to scale and meaningful engagement with disabled people.
Dr Emma Partlow, Chief Executive Officer of ncat, said:
“These projects demonstrate how targeted innovation can help dismantle the barriers that ncat evidence shows disabled people continue to experience when travelling. This next phase provides the resources, expertise, and partnership needed to help innovators move their products and services towards wider sector adoption.
By shaping solutions with disabled people, not for them, Scaling Innovation can contribute to a more accessible transport network.”
Steve Pyer, Highways and Integrated Transport Director at the Connected Places Catapult, said:
“Getting an innovation to work is only part of the challenge. Through the Catapult’s network of transport operators and industry partners, we can help these organisations test their solutions in real-world environments and build the evidence needed for wider adoption.
We look forward to continuing to support the selected organisations as they work to make transport more accessible for disabled people.”
Eliot Mangham, Programme Director for Transport Solutions at the Motability Foundation, said:
“We are proud to fund ncat and all its work. This vital programme will help to develop practical solutions to the barriers disabled people experience when travelling.
“Through investment in research, innovation and collaboration, we’re working towards a future where disabled people have the transport options, they need to make the journeys they choose – from getting to work and education, to accessing healthcare and staying connected to their communities.”
Scaling Innovation is an ncat programme which aims to remove transport barriers and contribute to a more accessible transport system.
ncat is funded by the Motability Foundation.
Find out more about the Scaling Innovation programme by clicking on the link below:
https://www.ncat.uk/scaling-innovation/
