The system consists of an innovative new wheelchair created by the Centro de Investigaciones Mecánicas (CIM, the Mechanical Research Centre) of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), with the support of abertis, and which was launched this morning in Barcelona. This new prototype is the result of three years of research by the CIM and its innovation consists in the incorporation of a mechanical gear change system which can be used without affecting required user safety levels.

Integrated within the wheelchair like any other part, the gear change system allows users to tackle with ease any ramp or localised slopes as they move and will thus facilitate the independence of movement of the physically disabled who need special attention during their visit to the Forum showground.

Its backers believe that this initiative will revolutionise conventional wheelchair manufacturing standards and that it will become widely implemented in the near future.

In total, 60 wheelchairs of this type will be made available at the Forum. Once the event ends, the wheelchairs will be donated to specialised institutions and centres helping those with mobility problems.

This initiative has enjoyed the support of abertis, Europe’s leading mobility and communications infrastructure management company, as part of its strategy of commitment to society and people through its corporate social responsibility programmes.