Mobility electric scooters are a godsend for elderly and disabled users, but they can also become a cause for concern. Why? Elderly people sometimes get disoriented and lost in unfamiliar surroundings. Battery mobility scooters may also run out of charge unexpectedly, and some users have even been known to inadvertently drive their mobility scooters onto motorways and get stuck.

The bottom line is this:  how can you track your friend or parent’s mobility scooter when you aren’t with them?

Well, the answer could be at hand. Researchers at De Montfort University (Leicester) and the University of Lincoln are working on a new tracking technology that can prevent users from getting lost.

The device would be fitted on mobility electric scooters and local authority care providers would be able to monitor their location using existing mobile phone technology. Consequently, users would be able to leave their homes without any fear of getting lost. In case of an emergency, they could also be located easily and sent help immediately – vulnerable users would therefore feel secure, even if they were far away.

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Once they return home, the device would also automatically connect the mobility scooter to the user’s home telecare network to create an integrated mobility solution.

Dr. Amr Ahmed, one of the scientists leading the project, says, ”The digital era and the increasing number of online services mean that more support is available to help older people maintain a lifestyle that is as independent as possible.”

The project, named ”Integrating mobility vehicles and devices with smart homes”, is funded by the Transport innovation Network (iNet). According to iNet director John Frodsham, ”It’s exciting to think that by integrating some existing and new technologies, possibilities could open up in new applications which will also have a growing societal benefit.”

At the moment this technology is being developed for local authority care providers but, like all socially useful ideas, MobilityCompare hopes it will soon be developed privately and come onto the open market.  As soon as we hear we’ll let you know. Watch this space!