Welcome to Driven by Mobility. In this article we will tap into the fascinating world of Transportation-as-a-Service (TaaS)!
Picture this: you request a ride on your phone, and a sleek, autonomous electric vehicle arrives to take you to your destination. No need for car ownership, no maintenance worries, and most importantly, no carbon footprint. It’s the future we’re looking at, and it’s slowly happening.
In a few minutes of reading, we will go over:
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Defining TaaS
Transportation-as-a-Service (TaaS), also known as Mobility-as-a-Service, represents a major shift in our approach to mobility. Instead of the conventional model of personally owned vehicles, TaaS provides transportation on an ‘on-demand’ basis, thereby transforming the way we commute and travel. But TaaS is about more than just making travel easier. It can help us solve some big problems in our cities – things like traffic jams, air pollution, vehicle theft, accessibility, and even GPS guidance innovation.
At the core of TaaS lies the principle of utilization – making the most efficient use of resources. By lowering the need for vehicle ownership, TaaS has the potential to drastically reduce the number of cars on our roads. Fewer cars mean less congestion, leading to smoother and quicker commutes.
Furthermore, TaaS fosters inclusivity, providing mobility solutions for those who might otherwise struggle with access, such as the elderly, the disabled, and the economically disadvantaged.
Technology companies that offer solutions for fleet management optimization, smart mobility applications, micro mobility, and blockchain security solutions, all fit under the umbrella of TaaS.
CITM TaaS Client Showcase
Rekab
Imagine having all your transportation needs in one convenient place. That’s what Rekab offers: a single platform where you can plan a trip that combines various transportation modes like microtransit, carpooling, and biking along with public transportation, all in three easy steps. It’s a comprehensive solution designed to make your travels easier and more efficient.
In addition to convenience, Rekab is committed to making public transportation accessible for everyone, regardless of where they live, their age, or if they have special needs. It’s a holistic solution that ensures everyone’s transportation requirements are covered.
One of the key features of Rekab is its dynamic route optimization and automatic dispatch service, which not only enhances service quality but also reduces cost. It decreases wait and walk times, making commuting more efficient and affordable.
In essence, Rekab is an all-encompassing platform that aims to reinvent the way we perceive and use transportation, ensuring it is efficient, affordable, and accessible for all.
Solv4x
Solv4x is spearheading a remarkable shift in electric vehicle charging management. The company leverages the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure that all vehicles in a fleet are optimally charged for the day ahead, at the lowest possible cost and via low carbon emission sources.
The founders of Solv4x have pooled their considerable experience spanning over 30 years to confront one of the most daunting challenges associated with the transition to green energy – preparing our grid for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
Solv4x’s revolutionary B2B AI platform, Optify, simplifies and automates the charging of electric vehicle (EV) fleets. It works by predicting dynamic energy prices and sourcing low-cost, low-emission energy, identifying the best times to charge fleet vehicles. By employing Solv4x’s platform, fleet operators can realize considerable savings while simultaneously reducing emissions and their overall carbon footprint.
Solv4x is a winner of CITM’s Innovation Challenges, read about their success here: [LINK]
Auper Motorcycles
In the TaaS landscape, security is paramount. With the mobility industry’s move towards shared and connected vehicles, ensuring these vehicles are protected against theft is an essential concern. This is where Auper, a visionary in the realm of vehicle security, comes into play.
Auper has applied the principles of blockchain technology to the domain of vehicle security, creating a powerful anti-theft system. Auper encrypts the electronic components of a motorcycle. They tie the electric components to the whole bike. Consequently they ensures stolen parts are useless without the rest of the bike. This effectively disrupts the market for stolen parts and makes the theft of vehicles for parts almost futile.
As part of the broader TaaS segment, Auper’s solution provides an invaluable contribution to the security pillar of sustainable mobility. With blockchain-secured vehicles, service providers can have greater confidence in the security of their fleets, resulting in more reliable and secure transportation services for all.
We have a dedicate article on Auper Motorcycles, to read about them, click here: [LINK]
Micromobility as a TaaS
Hamilton’s E-Scooter Initiatives
The City of Hamilton, Ontario has recently initiated a promising electric scooter (e-scooter) pilot program as part of its sustainable transportation solutions. Partnering with Bird Canada, the City aims to augment its existing transportation network while reducing vehicle traffic and enhancing eco-friendly travel.
Bird Canada’s CEO, Stewart Lyons, hopes this initiative will not only create a sustainable transport system but also foster community engagement. As part of the program, 450 e-scooters will be available across specific wards in Hamilton, offering residents a cost-effective, convenient, and green alternative to traditional modes of transport.
Through the Bird Canada app, users can easily locate, unlock, and responsibly use e-scooters. This initiative positions Bird Canada at the forefront of micro-mobility solutions, propelling Hamilton towards a greener future.
[Source]
Waterloo Regional Micro Mobility Solution
International micro mobility provider; Neuron is making a positive mark in Ontario’s Region of Waterloo. The company is set to launch the country’s most extensive single-operator micro mobility program, in close partnership with the Cities of Kitchener, Cambridge, and Waterloo. An influx of 500 e-scooters and an equal number of e-bikes will soon grace the streets of Waterloo. We can anticipate a reshaping of the way people move around the city.
Neuron’s approach to urban mobility is known to displace car trips, cut down congestion, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Thus boosting the local economy in the process. According to their report, each Neuron e-scooter helps boost consumerism for local businesses because of accessibility. In total contributing $11,300 to local businesses each year.
Neuron brings pioneering safety features to the forefront. The world’s first integrated helmets, voice guidance, topple detection, a 911 emergency button, and a ‘Follow my Ride’ function. Furthermore, advanced geofencing technology will help regulate where e-scooters can be ridden, parked, and their speed in certain areas.
[Source]
Starship Technologies – Your Friendly Neighbourhood Delivery Bot
Starship Technologies, a leader in the Taas space, and the world’s largest fleet of autonomous delivery robots, has taken the world of micro delivery by storm.
Based in Estonia, Europe, Starship Technologies’s flagship product is the sleek delivery robots seen by many on the streets. Starship Technologies currently services over 25 American universities, more than 170,000 students will have access to the delivery service.
Consequently Starship tripled deliveries in 2021 and is continuing to gain momentum as the entire autonomous delivery industry expands.
[Source]
How TaaS Can Solve Pressing Issues
By leveraging advanced technologies, digital platforms, and vast amounts of data, TaaS has the potential to address several pressing issues associated with traditional transportation models.
Fleet Optimization: TaaS can facilitate significant advancements in fleet management and optimization. Advanced analytics and machine learning algorithms can process vast amounts of data to provide insights into optimal fleet utilization, ensuring that vehicles are used efficiently and idling time is minimized. This leads to better allocation of resources, fewer vehicles on the road, and an overall reduction in congestion.
Cost Savings: Through efficient fleet management, route optimization, and reduced vehicle downtime, TaaS can lead to considerable cost savings. Predictive maintenance algorithms can anticipate potential vehicle issues, allowing preemptive repairs and reducing costly breakdowns. Furthermore, route optimization can reduce fuel consumption, further contributing to cost savings.
Data-Driven Projections: We will replace the traditional guesswork associated with transport planning. In its stead, city planners can use data-driven projections, derived from real-time data and predictive algorithms. Thus TaaS can help to understand peak and off-peak travel times better, allowing for more efficient scheduling and better service delivery.
Environmental Impact: TaaS technologies can provide precise quantifications of environmental impacts. Allowing companies to track their carbon emissions closely and identify areas for improvement. This data can be instrumental in tailoring infrastructure and operations to be greener. Contributing to broader Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals.
Other ‘Driven by Mobility’ Articles You May Find of Interest
We hope you enjoyed this article on transportation as a service. Driven by Mobility is an original series where we explore CITM’s five areas of focus. You can find all of them here.
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About the Centre for Integrated Transportation and Mobility
The Centre for Integrated Transportation and Mobility (CITM) is an accelerator with everything your business needs to take electrified, connected and autonomous vehicle innovations from ideation to commercialization and scale-up. CITM will match you with industry, business development and technical expertise to help you find product-market fit, pilot projects, strategic connections, and growth opportunities. With CITM you can leverage exclusive R&D resources to test and validate your innovation through leading-edge test environments, technology platforms, rich datasets, and specialized labs.
