Porto – CommuniCity

Enterprise Incubator Foundation – Discover Campanhã: Your AI-Driven Guide to Local Life

Image of pilot presentation of the platform Discover Campanhã

Enterprise Incubator Foundation – Discover Campanhã: Your AI-Driven Guide to Local Life

Challenge: Porto: How to enhance access to local social and cultural activities?

Target Group: Vulnerable Communities, General Population

Discover Campanhã is a community-centered digital platform designed to bring together everything residents in Campanhã might need to access social services, employment opportunities, local initiatives, and practical support. The pilot aimed to support marginalized groups by providing centralized access to essential information and tools that promote social inclusion.

Co-creation activities, especially with APPC, were key in shaping the platform to reflect real user needs. Feedback was gathered through collaborative meetings, user testing, and design reviews to ensure accessibility and relevance. The platform is fully developed and technically ready. More than 40 people participated in the co-creation activities, with 14 being representatives of the marginalised group in question.

Deployment on Porto Digital’s servers will begin once final technical guidelines are received. Next steps include platform launch, stakeholder training, and continuous feature improvement based on community input.

Grid Collective – Porto Navigator: Your Go-To Map for an Inclusive City

Grid Collective – Porto Navigator: Your Go-To Map for an Inclusive City

Challenge: Porto: How can the accessibility and fluidity of routes be improved for residents with reduced mobility?

Target Groups: People with disabilities, Families

The Porto Navigator pilot aimed to explore community-powered accessibility mapping using AI-based video analysis of sidewalk conditions. Early co-creation activities, including guided tours, expert consultations, and a public mapathon, surfaced key limitations. Collecting consistent, high-quality video data, especially from wheelchair users, proved challenging, and participation levels were insufficient for reliable AI processing.

In response, the pilot pivoted to Atlas, an open-source, EU-based no-code mapping tool enabling manual, structured reporting via an interactive map. Participants contributed location-tagged data on obstacles, surface conditions, and curb ramps, supported by photos. The approach ensures immediate data usability while allowing gradual integration of AI features, such as pre-filling based on image input.

Co-creation was facilitated through local partners Porto Digital and the Occupational Therapy section at IPP, ensuring inclusive recruitment and context-sensitive engagement. Field activities took place in accessible environments, with members of the target group involved, including a wheelchair user, an individual with Parkinson’s disease, a participant with cognitive impairment, accessibility advocates, and municipal representatives. Approximately 20 people participated in co-creation activities, from which 7 were individuals from the marginalised group in question.

The resulting accessibility map combines community input with municipal data layers, forming a validated base for future scaling. Collaboration with Project Sidewalk was initiated to enable asynchronous, remote contributions using Google Street View, extending participation and scalability.

Axtron Systems Lda. – An intelligent system to optimise transportation services for individuals with mobility limitations

Axtron Systems Lda. – An intelligent system to optimise transportation services for individuals with mobility limitations

Challenge: Porto: How to improve the transportation services for individuals with mobility limitations?

Target Group: People with Disabilities

This pilot has developed a platform to optimise transport management for users of the Porto Association for Cerebral Palsy (APPC), who require special daily transport services. The goal is to reduce delays, costs, failures, and ensure a faster, more efficient, and reliable service.

The platform comprises a web application for scheduling transport needs and a mobile application to guide drivers along optimal transport routes. It also includes an SMS functionality to inform users of transport arrival times.

The platform was developed through co-creation sessions with staff and families to gather feedback, along with route simulations and functionality tests to validate and improve the system. Of the 16 people involved in co-creation activities, 6 were individuals with mobility limitations.

The allocation algorithm is still being improved to optimise the allocation of resources.

Junicoders – Empowering Communities through Digital Literacy and AI Awareness

Junicoders – Empowering Communities through Digital Literacy and AI Awareness

Challenge: Porto: How to enhance digital literacy?

Target Group: Individuals with no digital literacy; Social Housing Residents; children and youth

The Junicoders pilot tackled digital literacy for children aged 8 to 12 in vulnerable contexts in Porto. Through biweekly workshops using custom electronics kits, block-based coding, and robotics, students explored STEM in a hands-on way aligned with classroom topics. Teachers received tailored training, and co-creation sessions ensured curricular integration. Co-creation activities with Domus Social e Porto Digital involved approximately 60 individuals, of whom 45 were students. All content has been digitised and made available as open educational resources. The pilot resulted in increased digital confidence, creativity, and engagement. Students built simple projects like solar-powered fans or coded animations explaining science concepts. Teacher feedback directly influenced the final kit designs and content. The next phase includes introducing basic AI literacy, helping children understand intelligent systems playfully. The solution is ready for replication and will be further developed and expanded.

BUILT CoLAB – Minus-E: Monitoring and Raising Awareness about Domestic Energy Consumption

BUILT CoLAB – Minus-E: Monitoring and Raising Awareness about Domestic Energy Consumption

Challenge: Porto: How to monitor and give users awareness of their energy consumption?

Target Group: families

The MINUS-E pilot aimed to encourage sustainable energy consumption behaviours and raise awareness through the development of a co-created digital platform and AI-powered chatbot, tailored to the needs of vulnerable communities in Porto, Portugal. The pilot focused on the Agra do Amial neighbourhood, where access to environmental and digital education resources is limited.

The energy management platform, developed through co-creation with the city of Porto, enables residents to monitor their solar and grid energy consumption, compare usage patterns within the community, and plan future consumption based on personalised data. The system is designed to support informed decision-making around energy use, promoting both efficiency and sustainability.

Co-creation activities involved two community workshops, combining co-design and testing, alongside ongoing collaboration with the local pilot host to ensure the tools were appropriately adapted to the specific needs of the neighbourhood. Approximately 25 people who can be considered representative of the target group participated in these activities. This iterative process ensured alignment with both technical constraints and user requirements.

The final demonstration presented a user-friendly platform capable of engaging residents with tailored insights into their energy use and providing guidance on sustainable practices. The pilot was completed within the planned timeframe and successfully delivered a fully functional prototype.

Future steps may include continuing collaboration with Porto Digital and the Energy Agency of Porto and further development of the platform, with the goal of expanding its functionality and increasing long-term impact within similar contexts.

BUILT CoLAB – Coolspace

BUILT CoLAB – Coolspace

Challenge: Porto: How to monitor and improve thermal behaviour and resilience?

Target Group: Local Communities

The CoolScape pilot aimed to enhance urban park resilience by integrating environmental sensing, digital modelling, and community engagement. The project centred on Quinta de Salgueiros, a green space in Porto, and involved the creation of a Building Information Modelling (BIM)-based digital twin, enriched with real-time environmental sensor data and a predictive AI component.

The technical framework combined continuous data collection—covering variables such as temperature, humidity, wind, air quality, and noise—with spatial modelling to support dynamic analysis of environmental conditions within the park. The predictive element uses this data to forecast environmental impacts and inform future urban planning decisions.

Co-creation played a key role in aligning the system with community needs. Two sessions were conducted with local residents, in collaboration with the Environment Department of the Municipality of Porto, the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, and Domus Social. These sessions gathered residents’ perceptions of environmental quality and compared them with sensor readings, providing both validation and contextual insights to refine the digital model and support participatory design. Approximately 25 people who can be considered representative of the target group participated in co-creation activities.

An online platform was developed to visualise the data and model outputs, allowing for ongoing monitoring and scenario testing. Sensor data continues to be collected and integrated, supporting further refinement of the digital twin and its predictive capabilities.

Video Platform Coolscape

Aiedu Oy – AI-enhanced virtual reality (VR) therapy for children

Aiedu Oy – AI-enhanced virtual reality (VR) therapy for children

Challenge: Porto: How can AI support the therapeutic needs of children?

Target Group: Children and youth, People with Disabilities

The VR for Children Therapy pilot developed an interactive virtual reality game aimed at promoting healthy eating habits among children. Built using Unity and deployed on Meta Quest devices, the game simulates a dining room environment where children interact with food items using utensils, facilitating experiential learning.

Co-creation activities with APPC (Porto Association for Cerebral Paralysis) involved workshops with children, parents, and therapists to refine gameplay mechanics and enhance accessibility. 10 people were involved, with 2 being considered representative of the target group. Evaluation showed increased engagement and improved understanding of utensil use alongside healthy food literacy. Feedback highlighted the need for varied hand-tracking options and a broader selection of food items, which are currently being integrated.

Next steps focus on iterative design improvements and further testing to prepare the solution for wider deployment.

Rootcode OÜ – Clamigo

picture of three people in a farm using a smarthone

Rootcode OÜ – Clamigo

Challenge: Porto: How can a climate prediction system help small-scale farmers grow better crops?

Target Groups: Small Scale farmers

The Clamigo pilot developed an AI-powered agricultural solution tailored for community gardeners in Campanhã, Porto. It integrates portable soil monitoring devices with a mobile application to deliver practical, data-driven farming recommendations.

Co-creation with the Municipality of Porto, along with Domus Social and Porto Digital, comprised three key sessions: an initial virtual workshop with over eight local gardeners featuring interviews and user journey mapping; a two-day field test within community gardens; and a validation phase involving agricultural stakeholders in Sri Lanka. These activities provided essential insights into garden infrastructure, user requirements, and deployment challenges. In total, around 25 people participated, 16-18 were representative of the target group.

The outcome includes a fully functional mobile app equipped with four specialised AI agents for plant inspection and recommendation generation. Seven sensor prototypes were developed, capable of measuring soil moisture, pH, NPK content, and temperature. The system also integrates weather data and supports multi-plot garden management via GPS. Recommendations are localised in Portuguese. Data handling adheres to GDPR through EU-based storage and compliance with MIM4, MIM5, and MIM6 technical standards.

Currently, ongoing refinements are being made based on community feedback. Seven portable sensor devices have been distributed to participating gardeners for continued use beyond the pilot phase.

Aiedus – Digital Circular Economy Services in Porto

AI Circular Economy - screenshot image - Aixedu.com

Aiedus – Digital Circular Economy Services in Porto

Challenge: Porto: How can technology streamline the circular economy for marginalized communities?

Target Group: Vulnerable communities and General population

This pilot evaluated an AI-driven digital circular economy platform that enables residents to photograph unwanted furniture or electronics for immediate object recognition and automated listing within a local exchange network. Tested under real-world conditions, the system achieved key objectives in detection accuracy, system stability, and community engagement.

Co-creation workshops, conducted in a hybrid format, involved stakeholders from Domus Social and Porto Ambiente who actively contributed to the platform’s development, tested its functionality, and provided feedback. This input guided refinements to the user interface and overall performance.

Biweekly meetings facilitated ongoing iteration throughout the pilot. Continuous feedback loops with stakeholders supported usability enhancements and informed plans for integrating the platform into Domus Social’s broader web environment. Although technical coordination across teams presented some delays, the solution is considered ready for wider deployment.

Future testing with additional local associations is under consideration, laying the groundwork for a potential city-wide circular reuse platform.

BUILT CoLAB – D-Power: Digital Literacy for Social Integration

BUILT CoLAB – D-Power: Digital Literacy for Social Integration

Challenge: Porto: How to enhance digital literacy?

Target Group: Individuals with no digital literacy

The D-Power pilot focused on enhancing digital literacy within vulnerable communities in Porto’s Campanhã neighbourhood, including immigrants and individuals with limited digital skills. The solution combined 360-degree educational videos with an AI chatbot designed to provide personalised content recommendations.

Co-creation was integral to the development process. The team collaborated closely with Porto Digital, Campanhã Parish, and local organisations experienced in community engagement (such as RSI CerPorto, Cooperativa Terra ADC, and Projeto Cercar-te no Lagarteiro). Together, they identified ten key digital literacy topics, which were then scripted and validated by stakeholders. Following this, the videos were filmed, edited, and integrated into the platform.

The AI chatbot was developed to assist the community in navigating the platform and selecting relevant content. Multiple demonstration and feedback sessions helped ensure the interface was accessible and suited to users with low literacy levels. Approximately 15 persons participated in co-creation activities, with 10 being considered as representatives of the marginilised community targeted by the pilot.

The final outcome is a user-friendly, ready-to-deploy learning platform specifically tailored to the Campanhã community. Potential next steps include scaling the solution to other neighbourhoods or expanding the video library to encompass more advanced or specialised digital subjects.