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DOT Inclusive Design Challenge

The logo uses the initials of the Inclusive Design Challenge as a design element. The lowercase “I” has a wi-fi symbol above it to represent autonomous vehicle features. The lowercase “D” has an implied wheelchair. The lowercase “C” is unchanged. An outline of a vehicle, representing automobile transportation, stretches above the initials IDC with the full name of Inclusive Design Challenge spelled out below it.

The U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao created the Inclusive Design Challenge in 2020.  The Inclusive Design Challenge focused on innovative design solutions  to enable people with physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities to use automated vehicles to access jobs, healthcare, and other critical destinations. The Inclusive Design Challenge is a part of a larger set of departmental initiatives on accessibility, announced at the Access and Mobility for All Summit.

The Challenge intends to seek solutions to improve passenger vehicle accessibility, encourage cross-disciplinary collaborations, incentivize development of new designs and technologies, and tap into the creativity and knowledge of the disability community, researchers, advocates, and entrepreneurs.

Seeking Solutions to Common Barriers

The Challenge asks researchers and innovators to develop solutions to solve our most pressing access barriers for people with physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities. Design teams from academic and research institutions, the business sector, technology companies and analytics firms are invited to compete for cash prizes. Solutions may include both hardware and software solutions aimed to address barriers including:

  • Locating an Automated Driving System-dedicated vehicle (ADS-DV)
  • Entering an ADS-DV
  • Securing passengers and mobility equipment
  • Inputting information
  • Interacting with the ADS in routine and emergency situations
  • Exiting an ADS-DV

Challenge Structure

The total prize purse for the Challenge is $5,000,000, with initial submitters competing for up to ten $300,000 semifinalist awards based on their proof-of-concept ideas. In Stage II, semifinalists will compete for a portion of the remaining prize purse by developing prototype demonstrations of their concepts.

Stage I – Proof-of-Concept Ideas – Stage I is now closed! Stage I of the Challenge requested written proposals describing the design solution. Proposals were due October 30, 2020. Semifinalists will be selected in late 2020 or early 2021. Please read the full Challenge Statement for more information. 

Stage II – Prototype/Demonstrations – Semifinalists will be invited to virtual design charrette(s) in summer 2021; final demonstration and prizes expected to be awarded in summer 2022.

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Last updated: Friday, November 13, 2020