TOBEA and Siemens Revolutionize Beach Accessibility with SEATRAC System for People with Disabilities

TOBEA and Siemens Revolutionize Beach Accessibility with SEATRAC System for People with Disabilities

(IN BRIEF) TOBEA and Siemens have partnered to create the SEATRAC system, an innovative solution that allows people with disabilities to independently access and enjoy the beach. The system, now installed on over 250 beaches worldwide, uses Siemens’ advanced technology to ensure reliable operation in coastal environments. This collaboration demonstrates how technology can promote inclusion and improve the quality of life for individuals with mobility challenges.

(PRESS RELEASE) ATHENS, 26-Aug-2024— /EuropaWire/ — In a groundbreaking collaboration, TOBEA, a pioneering tech start-up from Patras, Greece, and global technology leader Siemens have introduced the SEATRAC system, a transformative solution that significantly enhances beach accessibility for individuals with disabilities. This innovative system empowers people with mobility challenges to independently enjoy the beach and the sea without requiring outside assistance.

SEATRAC, which is now installed on more than 250 beaches worldwide, features a specially designed chair mounted on a track system. This enables users to safely enter and exit the water, offering them newfound independence and a chance to experience the beach on their own terms. The system is equipped with Siemens’ advanced control technology, ensuring reliable and uninterrupted operation, even in challenging coastal environments.

The collaboration between TOBEA and Siemens is a powerful example of how technology can be harnessed to promote inclusion and improve quality of life. Gerhard Gleitsmann, Head of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Office at Siemens AG, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, “By integrating our cutting-edge technology into SEATRAC, we are breaking down barriers and enabling people with disabilities to enjoy the beach independently. This initiative exemplifies our commitment to driving positive social impact through innovative solutions.”

SEATRAC’s users, such as Panagiotis Pitsiniagas, have shared how the system has transformed their beach experiences. Pitsiniagas noted that the sea, once inaccessible due to a lack of suitable infrastructure, is now a place of freedom thanks to SEATRAC.|

Siemens’ technology, which serves as the “brain” of the SEATRAC system, includes advanced communication functions, remote control capabilities, and fault diagnosis features, ensuring the system’s continuous operation. Security measures are also in place to prevent unauthorized access, safeguarding the system’s functionality.

Ignatios Fotiou, President of TOBEA and one of the developers of SEATRAC, highlighted the importance of this collaboration: “Partnering with Siemens has allowed us to create a product that truly changes lives. SEATRAC is just the beginning, and we look forward to developing more innovative solutions together.”

Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a leading technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, mobility, and healthcare. The company’s purpose is to create technology to transform the everyday, for everyone. By combining the real and the digital worlds, Siemens empowers customers to accelerate their digital and sustainability transformations, making factories more efficient, cities more livable, and transportation more sustainable. Siemens also owns a majority stake in the publicly listed company, Siemens Healthineers, a leading global medical technology provider shaping the future of healthcare. In fiscal 2023, which ended on September 30, 2023, the Siemens Group generated revenue of €74.9 billion and net income of €8.5 billion. As of September 30, 2023, the company employed around 305,000 people worldwide on the basis of continuing operations. Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.com.

TOBEA, a spin-off company from the University of Patras, began its journey in 2012. The company’s mission is the design, construction, and promotion of engineering applications aimed at improving the lives of individuals with disabilities. Further information is available on the Internet at www.tobea.gr.

Media Contacts:

Jil Huber
Siemens AG
+49 162 3474144
jil-patricia.huber@siemens.com

Eirini Koufaki
Siemens AG
+30 6951 689077
eirini.koufaki@siemens.com

Persefoni Mpertzou
TOBEA
+30 2610 932240
bertzou@tobea.gr

SOURCE: Siemens