Not bike news, but something important | Toyota Australia has taken another bold step in proving that engineering excellence can drive social change with its annual Tech Immersion Day, held in collaboration with Remarkable, the disability tech accelerator powered by Cerebral Palsy Alliance. Press: Toyota  AusThe company brought together six pioneering startups from Australia, the United States, and Canada to explore life-changing solutions for people with disabilities. Rather than simply funding ideas, Toyota invited these innovators into its own technical spaces to work directly alongside its engineers.

Toyota allocates one per cent of its pre-tax profits to social initiatives each year…

The goal was clear: merge Toyota’s precision engineering heritage with the creative energy of disability-tech entrepreneurs to deliver practical, real-world advances in accessibility.The startups taking part are working on a range of cutting-edge projects, from brain-computer interfaces that allow children with severe disabilities to control elements of their surroundings, to lightweight, 3D-printed orthotics that reduce the need for painful medical procedures.

Brain-computer interfaces that allow children with severe disabilities to control elements of their surroundings…

Another team is developing autonomous robotic systems to assist wheelchair users in boarding trains independently, tangible, functional prototypes that could soon change lives.This hands-on collaboration is part of Toyota’s commitment to community innovation. Through its Community Trust Fund, Toyota allocates one per cent of its pre-tax profits to social initiatives each year. On top of that, the company donates more than 2,000 hours of engineering expertise to projects that improve mobility and inclusivity.Toyota’s teams contribute their know-how in design, mechanical systems, control technologies and manufacturing, helping startups transform promising concepts into robust, scalable solutions.

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Pete Horsley, Founder of Remarkable, described the partnership as transformative. “We’re not just building technology,” he said. “We’re shaping a future where accessibility is expected, not exceptional.”Tim Stuckey, Toyota Australia’s Senior Manager of Sustainability and External Affairs, echoed that sentiment. “Making a positive difference is built into Toyota’s DNA,” he explained. “Our engineers are passionate about applying their skills to help disability-tech startups reach new heights.”Toyota’s approach embeds its people and processes directly into innovation pipelines. The startups gain access to Toyota’s world-class development resources, mentorship, and the Kaizen philosophy of continuous improvement that underpins both its production lines and motorsport success.

Kaizen philosophy of continuous improvement underpins Toyata’s production lines and motorsport success…

It’s a dynamic, measurable model of corporate social responsibility, one that blends engineering precision with human purpose.The connection to motorsport is more than symbolic. The same iterative design mindset that refines race-winning performance is now being channelled toward technologies that enhance independence and mobility. From rapid prototyping to rigorous testing, Toyota’s performance culture is being repurposed to improve lives off the track.The partnership between Toyota and Remarkable also reflects the global scale of the accessibility movement. Together, they’ve supported dozens of disability-tech ventures across Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Germany and the United States, contributing more than 2,400 hours of expert guidance. The growing collaboration is helping to create a more inclusive world by turning engineering skill into social impact.Across Australia, calls for genuine inclusion are becoming louder not just in policy or language, but in how infrastructure and technology are designed. Toyota’s initiative demonstrates how large organisations can shift their technical expertise toward addressing those challenges directly.Looking ahead, Toyota and Remarkable are already preparing for the next Tech Immersion, set for November in Sydney, alongside the upcoming Disability Tech Summit. As these collaborations expand, they continue to redefine mobility, not as a privilege for a few, but as a fundamental right for all.

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