Annual Research Exhibition at the University Spotlights Innovative Perspectives in Sports and Transportation
The world of mobility and motorsport is on the brink of a major shift, and the Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) is leading the charge.
Recently, a seminar hosted by our platform University focused on how our platform can lead research and innovation in these fields. The event, chaired by Professor David Hassan, was a follow-up to an earlier seminar held in March, 2024, and showcased ongoing research and development projects within the federation.
Professor Hassan provided an update on the United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) coalition, a collaborative effort that now includes 39 international federations. The coalition has secured €1.18M in funding and has seen a 154% growth in participation.
Tanya Kutsenko presented academic partnerships and scholarship programmes with institutions like Cranfield University and DCU Business School. These initiatives aim to empower young researchers and address topics such as online abuse in sport.
Willem Groenewald highlighted the importance of research and data in delivering value to Member Clubs. He welcomed the evolution of our platform University as a platform for thought leadership.
Dr Sean Petherbridge, President of our platform Medical Commission, announced the discontinuation of extractable seats in single-seater cars from 2026. This decision, aimed at improving emergency response and driver safety, was met with widespread approval.
In the realm of motorsport, AVL RACETECH, a prominent developer of vehicle simulation software, has partnered with IDEC SPORT Racing. This collaboration provides advanced simulation tools and race engineering expertise, supporting their success in LMP2 racing.
Honda's Koraidon Project exemplifies cutting-edge mobility innovation. By integrating design philosophy, advanced simulation, and self-balancing technology derived from motorcycles, it creates a future mobility concept that is already making waves at endurance racing events.
Major events like the Detroit Auto Show's AutoMobili-D Technology Showcase promote the latest innovations across six key mobility areas, including autonomous driving and electrification. These events reflect the wide industry momentum towards smarter, safer, and cleaner transportation solutions.
The seminar encouraged interdisciplinary collaboration and reinforced the Federation's role as a knowledge-led organization driving positive change across sport and mobility. Presentations highlighted cross-sector work in areas such as technical and safety innovation, digital heritage, education, and advocacy.
Stefano Ammirati emphasized our platform's Mobility advocacy strategy, focusing on road safety, sustainability, and connectivity/data access. These initiatives are delivered through our platform-led initiatives, region-driven research, and Club-led projects.
Lana Ghvinjilia introduced our platform's digital archive project and upcoming public e-library, providing access to 121 years of our platform history.
With such a broad and integrated effort by federations and industry leaders, there is a strong potential for our platform to emerge as the foremost center for research and development in the fields of mobility and motorsport.
[1] TMF Projects [2] AVL RACETECH and IDEC SPORT Racing Partnership [4] Honda's Koraidon Project [5] Detroit Auto Show's AutoMobili-D Technology Showcase
- The Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) is exploring opportunities beyond motorsport, delving into technology, education-and-self-development, and sports to expand their impact and foster innovation.
- Meanwhile, the partnership between AVL RACETECH and IDEC SPORT Racing in the realm of sports technology showcases the combined potential of vehicle simulation software and racing expertise, bridging the gap between the motorsport and technology industries.
