A feasibility study for micro-mobility in Swiss cities.

AI Quick Summary

In response to Switzerland’s evolving urban mobility and the adoption of 30 km/h zones to reduce traffic and enhance pedestrian life, this project proposes a novel micromobility solution: transforming the Genny Zero—a powered wheelchair for paraplegic users—into an AI-equipped autonomous vehicle for the general public. With the expertise of Genny Factory SA and IDSIA, and support from Lugano Living Lab, the project tackles key technological, socio-cultural, and integration challenges. A pilot study will develop a simulation environment to test navigation in pedestrian areas and evaluate sensor technologies for future prototypes. This multidisciplinary effort aims to deliver robust, socially acceptable solutions aligned with urban needs and to lay the groundwork for larger-scale, sustainable, and inclusive mobility initiatives in Switzerland. A lively public debate is taking place in Switzerland regarding the implementation of 30 km/h speed limit zones in urban areas. The aim is to reduce car traffic in city centers, thereby improving the quality of life for pedestrians and raising the overall standards of urban living. These new initiatives are shaping the future of society and, as a result, demand a new paradigm of mobility — one in which traditional cars may no longer be suitable or convenient. On one hand, this transition is positive: it is environmentally friendly and helps create more peaceful city centers. On the other hand, it has led to dissatisfaction among certain segments of the population who still require flexible, comfortable, and efficient access to workplaces and homes. For these reasons, innovative mobility concepts that can balance the needs of all stakeholders are urgently needed. This project aims to explore a radical innovation: transforming a powered wheelchair —originally designed for individuals with paraplegia — into an efficient micromobility vehicle for the general public. Genny Zero is a high-tech and very advanced device, but it currently lacks the autonomous capabilities required to address the challenges of micromobility in real-life urban settings. Introducing AI-based autonomy to the Genny Zero would offer several advantages over existing shared mobility platforms such as e-bikes and e-scooters: Improved accessibility and safety for elderly users, offering a more stable and comfortable alternative. Autonomous navigation would solve limitations of sharing systems, such as intelligent redistribution across city stations and storage. Advanced perception would enable safer navigation and enforce driving limitations, such as speed restrictions in designated areas. The project is used to identify key technological, socio-cultural, and integration challenges, propose a simulation-based study, and develop a concrete roadmap to scale the concept into a larger initiative. We leverage the collaboration between Genny Factory SA, a Swiss company based in Ticino that develops and markets Genny Zero — a high-end, self-balancing electric wheelchair originally designed for disabled users — and the Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence (IDSIA) at SUPSI , which participates as a research partner, contributing its expertise in both fundamental research and real-world applications of autonomous robotics. Additionally, we benefit from the support of Lugano Living Lab, an open innovation initiative spread throughout the city of Lugano that promotes the development of the local innovation ecosystem. This project brings together key stakeholders from research, industry, and local initiatives to rethink mobility in Switzerland. By engaging with citizens and local services, we aim to gather valuable feedback and gain a deeper understanding of their real needs. This input allows us to align our development with the real-world case study, ensuring that our developments are both meaningful and beneficial to society. Technological challenges. Outdoor navigation remains an open challenge; current state-of-the-art lacks a one-size-fits-all solution. Additional complexity is due to robotic navigation in crowded spaces and the acceptance of people. As a first step, we will develop an in-lab simulation environment to model these scenarios allowing to test the proposed novel mobility system that must navigate safely among people. Gaps in system integration. Developing a simulator for Genny Zero is key for prototyping new ideas and for the technical partners to test solutions collaboratively and present them to stakeholders for valuable feedback. To ensure flexibility and compatibility, the simulation must be built using modern robotics frameworks, e.g. Gazebo or Webots. We will possibly determine the required additional hardware components for Genny Zero, with a view toward future hardware prototyping. Socio-cultural and behavioral dimension. Our ultimate ambition is to equip Swiss cities with novel mobility solutions by leveraging cutting-edge robotics and AI technologies. To this end, we will actively collect feedback from local entities and citizens to inform and guide our technical development, ensuring that our solutions align with real societal needs and expectations. Leveraging on virtual reality (VR) tools, we could easily test our solution with users. Proposed pilot study. We propose a pilot study that On Software Level, will develop a simulation environment for Genny Zero to test its navigation capabilities in environments with pedestrians. On Hardware Level will explore which sensors are best suited for real-world implementation. We will evaluate the use LiDAR sensors and cameras. Work Program. The project is organized into the following work packages (WPs): WP1: Project Management. This WP includes technical discussions between Genny Factory and IDSIA to coordinate the activities. In the final phase, we will plan follow-up actions, including the possible submission of an Innosuisse project. WP2: Technical Development. Building on IDSIA’s existing work in multi-agent navigation, we will develop a simulation environment to prototype our ideas, integrating it with platforms like Gazebo, Unity, or CoppeliaSim. This will support technical collaboration and stakeholder feedback. In parallel, we will explore integrating sensors such as LiDAR and RGB-D cameras on the Genny Zero. WP3: Preliminary Tests. We will test our ideas' feasibility with simulations and compare them with existing solutions. Sensory hardware testing on the Genny Zero platform will also begin. These early tests will validate the concept and prepare for the submission of a larger project proposal. Lugano Living Lab will be kept informed to provide societal feedback to better design the preliminary tests. WP4: Future Initiative. We will explore follow-up initiatives, e.g. a Innosuisse project with implementation partners;  we will develop a more complete technical idea, identify specific social case studies, and create a business model. Role of each partner, and available infrastructure. The collaboration between Genny Factory SA  and IDSIA is essential to the project’s success. The two partners offer complementary expertise—Genny in micromobility R&D, with partners like Toyota and Pininfarina; IDSIA in AI and robotics, with experience from projects such as ALMA and REXASI-PRO. Lugano Living Lab will support societal engagement. IDSIA provides a 100 sqm robotics lab with high-performance computing resources. Genny Factory contributes extensive workshop space for prototyping. Budget. We will use the funding to purchase materials for project development, and cover other operational costs e.g. services,  licenses and expert consultants. Regarding the CHF 2,500 required as own funding from the industrial partner, Genny Factory will allocate these funds to equip the Genny Zero device with new sensors or other materials needed for the project Conclusions This project addresses the urgent need for innovative, sustainable urban mobility solutions in Switzerland by transforming the Genny Zero powered wheelchair into a versatile micromobility vehicle for the general public. Through a multidisciplinary collaboration between Genny Factory and IDSIA, supported by Lugano Living Lab for linking our technical development to society, we will tackle technological, socio-cultural, and integration challenges using advanced AI, robotics, and real-world feedback. Our pilot study will develop and test simulation environments and possible hardware prototypes, laying the groundwork for larger-scale initiatives. With a clear timeline, strong expertise, and a focused budget plan, this project aims to contribute meaningful advancements to the future of urban mobility that balance environmental benefits with the needs of all city residents.

Project Idea Metadata

• Project Idea Name: A feasibility study for micro-mobility in Swiss cities.
• Date: 9/19/2025 4:43:23 PM
• Administrators:

Project Idea Description

A lively public debate is taking place in Switzerland regarding the implementation of 30 km/h speed limit zones in urban areas. The aim is to reduce car traffic in city centers, thereby improving the quality of life for pedestrians and raising the overall standards of urban living. These new initiatives are shaping the future of society and, as a result, demand a new paradigm of mobility — one in which traditional cars may no longer be suitable or convenient. On one hand, this transition is positive: it is environmentally friendly and helps create more peaceful city centers. On the other hand, it has led to dissatisfaction among certain segments of the population who still require flexible, comfortable, and efficient access to workplaces and homes. For these reasons, innovative mobility concepts that can balance the needs of all stakeholders are urgently needed. This project aims to explore a radical innovation: transforming a powered wheelchair —originally designed for individuals with paraplegia — into an efficient micromobility vehicle for the general public. Genny Zero is a high-tech and very advanced device, but it currently lacks the autonomous capabilities required to address the challenges of micromobility in real-life urban settings. Introducing AI-based autonomy to the Genny Zero would offer several advantages over existing shared mobility platforms such as e-bikes and e-scooters:

• Improved accessibility and safety for elderly users, offering a more stable and comfortable alternative.
• Autonomous navigation would solve limitations of sharing systems, such as intelligent redistribution across city stations and storage.
• Advanced perception would enable safer navigation and enforce driving limitations, such as speed restrictions in designated areas.

The project is used to identify key technological, socio-cultural, and integration challenges, propose a simulation-based study, and develop a concrete roadmap to scale the concept into a larger initiative.

We leverage the collaboration between Genny Factory SA, a Swiss company based in Ticino that develops and markets Genny Zero — a high-end, self-balancing electric wheelchair originally designed for disabled users — and the Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence (IDSIA) at SUPSI , which participates as a research partner, contributing its expertise in both fundamental research and real-world applications of autonomous robotics. Additionally, we benefit from the support of Lugano Living Lab, an open innovation initiative spread throughout the city of Lugano that promotes the development of the local innovation ecosystem.

This project brings together key stakeholders from research, industry, and local initiatives to rethink mobility in Switzerland. By engaging with citizens and local services, we aim to gather valuable feedback and gain a deeper understanding of their real needs. This input allows us to align our development with the real-world case study, ensuring that our developments are both meaningful and beneficial to society.

Technological challenges. Outdoor navigation remains an open challenge; current state-of-the-art lacks a one-size-fits-all solution. Additional complexity is due to robotic navigation in crowded spaces and the acceptance of people. As a first step, we will develop an in-lab simulation environment to model these scenarios allowing to test the proposed novel mobility system that must navigate safely among people.

Gaps in system integration. Developing a simulator for Genny Zero is key for prototyping new ideas and for the technical partners to test solutions collaboratively and present them to stakeholders for valuable feedback. To ensure flexibility and compatibility, the simulation must be built using modern robotics frameworks, e.g. Gazebo or Webots. We will possibly determine the required additional hardware components for Genny Zero, with a view toward future hardware prototyping.

Socio-cultural and behavioral dimension. Our ultimate ambition is to equip Swiss cities with novel mobility solutions by leveraging cutting-edge robotics and AI technologies. To this end, we will actively collect feedback from local entities and citizens to inform and guide our technical development, ensuring that our solutions align with real societal needs and expectations. Leveraging on virtual reality (VR) tools, we could easily test our solution with users.

Proposed pilot study. We propose a pilot study that

• On Software Level, will develop a simulation environment for Genny Zero to test its navigation capabilities in environments with pedestrians.
• On Hardware Level will explore which sensors are best suited for real-world implementation. We will evaluate the use LiDAR sensors and cameras.

Work Program. The project is organized into the following work packages (WPs):

• WP1: Project Management. This WP includes technical discussions between Genny Factory and IDSIA to coordinate the activities. In the final phase, we will plan follow-up actions, including the possible submission of an Innosuisse project.
• WP2: Technical Development. Building on IDSIA’s existing work in multi-agent navigation, we will develop a simulation environment to prototype our ideas, integrating it with platforms like Gazebo, Unity, or CoppeliaSim. This will support technical collaboration and stakeholder feedback. In parallel, we will explore integrating sensors such as LiDAR and RGB-D cameras on the Genny Zero.
• WP3: Preliminary Tests. We will test our ideas' feasibility with simulations and compare them with existing solutions. Sensory hardware testing on the Genny Zero platform will also begin. These early tests will validate the concept and prepare for the submission of a larger project proposal. Lugano Living Lab will be kept informed to provide societal feedback to better design the preliminary tests.
• WP4: Future Initiative. We will explore follow-up initiatives, e.g. a Innosuisse project with implementation partners;  we will develop a more complete technical idea, identify specific social case studies, and create a business model.

Role of each partner, and available infrastructure. The collaboration between Genny Factory SA  and IDSIA is essential to the project’s success. The two partners offer complementary expertise—Genny in micromobility R&D, with partners like Toyota and Pininfarina; IDSIA in AI and robotics, with experience from projects such as ALMA and REXASI-PRO. Lugano Living Lab will support societal engagement. IDSIA provides a 100 sqm robotics lab with high-performance computing resources. Genny Factory contributes extensive workshop space for prototyping.

Budget. We will use the funding to purchase materials for project development, and cover other operational costs e.g. services,  licenses and expert consultants. Regarding the CHF 2,500 required as own funding from the industrial partner, Genny Factory will allocate these funds to equip the Genny Zero device with new sensors or other materials needed for the project

Conclusions

This project addresses the urgent need for innovative, sustainable urban mobility solutions in Switzerland by transforming the Genny Zero powered wheelchair into a versatile micromobility vehicle for the general public. Through a multidisciplinary collaboration between Genny Factory and IDSIA, supported by Lugano Living Lab for linking our technical development to society, we will tackle technological, socio-cultural, and integration challenges using advanced AI, robotics, and real-world feedback. Our pilot study will develop and test simulation environments and possible hardware prototypes, laying the groundwork for larger-scale initiatives. With a clear timeline, strong expertise, and a focused budget plan, this project aims to contribute meaningful advancements to the future of urban mobility that balance environmental benefits with the needs of all city residents.

In response to Switzerland’s evolving urban mobility and the adoption of 30 km/h zones to reduce traffic and enhance pedestrian life, this project proposes a novel micromobility solution: transforming the Genny Zero—a powered wheelchair for paraplegic users—into an AI-equipped autonomous vehicle for the general public. With the expertise of Genny Factory SA and IDSIA, and support from Lugano Living Lab, the project tackles key technological, socio-cultural, and integration challenges. A pilot study will develop a simulation environment to test navigation in pedestrian areas and evaluate sensor technologies for future prototypes. This multidisciplinary effort aims to deliver robust, socially acceptable solutions aligned with urban needs and to lay the groundwork for larger-scale, sustainable, and inclusive mobility initiatives in Switzerland.