Future Mobility’s Post

🚨 Hamburg is gearing up for a shift in urban mobility Here's what you need to know: → In mid-2025, the ALIKE project will introduce autonomous, on-demand ridepooling in the city’s center → Covering 37 square kilometers, ALIKE’s operational zone stretches from Stadtpark to the Elbe and from Schlump to Wandsbek. → ALIKE is a joint initiative led by Hamburger Hochbahn AG, with key partners including MOIA, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, HOLON, the Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT), and the Hamburg Authority for Traffic and Mobility Transition My thoughts: It’s inspiring to see a project of this scale take shape right here in Germany. Beyond the operational milestones, the findings on user acceptance will be fascinating to follow. In the U.S., companies like Waymo have demonstrated that initial skepticism toward autonomous vehicles often turns to support once people experience the technology firsthand. However, it will be particularly interesting to see if acceptance patterns differ in Germany and Europe. Where factors like data privacy, safety expectations, and a long-standing reliance on efficient public transport systems may shape unique attitudes. Will European users embrace autonomous shuttles more readily, or will concerns around safety and data usage lead to a slower adoption curve? By embedding autonomous shuttles within a high-density, complex urban ecosystem, ALIKE has the potential to become a model for other European cities. Hamburg’s strategy acknowledges the unique challenges and demands of European mobility landscapes, where reducing car dependency and improving sustainability are key goals. This project is about more than technology It’s a test of how well autonomous solutions can integrate into established public transit networks And how public-private partnerships can drive mobility innovation in diverse, multi-modal settings. What do you think? Would you consider using an autonomous shuttle service in your city? And what would it take for you to feel comfortable doing so?

🚀 Driving Innovation Forward: Lessons from Zurich Airport’s Self-Driving Shuttle Bus ✈️ At the Dal Corso Group, we’re always fascinated by innovation that pushes boundaries and redefines the status quo. Zurich Airport’s recent introduction of self-driving shuttle buses is a remarkable example of how technology is shaping the future of travel and business. Imagine this: passengers seamlessly transported across the airport by autonomous shuttles, no steering wheels, no drivers—just a combination of advanced AI, sensors, and sustainable design ensuring a smooth journey. It’s not just a technical marvel; it’s a symbol of progress and possibility. But what can we, as businesses, learn from this pioneering step? Here are three lessons to take away: 1️⃣ Innovation Starts with a Vision Zurich Airport didn’t wake up one day and decide to launch self-driving shuttles. This project is the result of years of planning, research, and a commitment to creating a better passenger experience. Takeaway for businesses: What bold vision are you working towards? Innovation doesn’t just happen—it’s a deliberate effort to challenge norms and create value for your customers. 2️⃣ Technology is a Tool, Not the Goal The self-driving shuttles aren’t about showcasing AI for the sake of it—they’re solving real problems like reducing congestion, enhancing safety, and promoting sustainability. Takeaway for businesses: Technology should serve a purpose. Whether it’s streamlining operations or improving customer experiences, always keep the end goal in mind. 3️⃣ Small Steps, Big Impact Zurich Airport is starting with a limited rollout—a clear example of testing, learning, and scaling. They’re taking calculated risks to ensure success. Takeaway for businesses: You don’t need to go all-in at once. Pilot your ideas, measure their impact, and refine before scaling up. Incremental changes often lead to transformational results. 🌍 Leading the Way in Sustainability Beyond the tech, what stands out most is Zurich Airport’s commitment to sustainability. By integrating autonomous electric shuttles, they’re not just enhancing convenience but reducing their environmental footprint. In today’s world, being green isn’t optional—it’s a responsibility. As we applaud Zurich Airport for its forward-thinking approach, let’s challenge ourselves to bring this same spirit of innovation to our own businesses. 🔑 How are you planning to innovate in 2025? At the Dal Corso Group, we’re committed to empowering businesses to think differently, embrace change, and achieve their boldest goals. Let’s start a conversation: what’s the next “self-driving shuttle” for your business? 📩 Drop your thoughts in the comments or reach out—we’d love to hear how you’re driving innovation forward. #Innovation #Sustainability #FutureOfTravel #BusinessGrowth https://lnkd.in/esgD35hE

🚀 The Future is Here! ✈️ Have you seen the incredible self-driving shuttles at Zurich Airport? They’re not just about technology—they’re about rethinking how we approach challenges and opportunities in business. I’m so proud of the insights shared by my team in our latest post about what this innovation means for all of us. From visionary thinking to sustainable action, Zurich Airport’s bold step is a masterclass in leading the way. #Innovation #Leadership #BusinessGrowth

As the world looks ahead to autonomous and electric vehicles, ridesharing stands out as the most realistic, efficient, and sustainable solution available today. While the future may belong to autonomous, electric, and shared mobility, ridesharing represents the bridge that gets us there. Why Ridesharing is the Ideal Solution Today: -Efficiency at Scale: Ridesharing platforms maximize vehicle usage, reducing the need for individual car ownership and thereby lowering the total number of vehicles on the road. -Advanced AI-based ride-matching ensures optimal routes and minimal wait times, saving energy and time. -Sustainability You Can Achieve Now: Shared rides reduce fuel consumption and emissions by consolidating trips into fewer vehicles. -Accessibility and Cost-Effectiveness: With no need for ownership, ridesharing provides a convenient and affordable mobility option for urban and rural users alike. Pooled rides offer even greater affordability while fostering community participation in reducing emissions which gives: 🚘 Cleaner Travel: By pooling resources and passengers, ridesharing slashes the carbon footprint of daily commutes. Platforms integrating EVs push this progress even further. ⚡ Efficiency for Urban Centers: Congestion, a key urban challenge, is alleviated by fewer vehicles and smarter routing—two hallmarks of successful ridesharing models. By opting for shared rides, users contribute immediately to emission reductions and cleaner cities. "Have you ever used a ridesharing service? How was your experience?" Please contribute in the comments, Thanks.

Ride-hailing firms face a dilemma with autonomous driving: should they adopt now for long-term gains or wait and risk losing market share? 🚗 High costs and risks: Implementing autonomous tech is costly and uncertain, possibly upsetting current drivers—a core part of ride-hailing platforms. 💰 Potential profits: The technology could unlock substantial revenue by reducing fares and expanding the market. Yet, developing proprietary technology is risky, as seen with cases like General Motors. 🤖 Strategic timing: For companies like Grab, balancing investment in autonomous tech while considering driver welfare and market demand is a complex but critical decision. We spoke with the National University of Singapore's professor of strategy and policy Ivan Png, ComfortDelGro's China business unit head Michael Huang, as well as J.P. Morgan's co-head of tech, media, and telecommunications research Alex Yao for more insights. Story by Melissa Goh, editing by Simon Huang and Jaclyn Tiu. Want to keep up with the ins and outs of the #tech ecosystem in Asia? Sign up for free at techin.asia/newsletters

🚨 WeRide announced AV pilot project in Switzerland Here’s what you need to know: → Starting mid-2025, the project will kick off with two autonomous vehicles, expanding to a fleet of 12 vehicles by 2026 → Initial operations will serve Otelfingen, Boppelsen, Hüttikon, and Dänikon, with further expansions to Buchs, Dällikon, and Regensdorf → The service will leverage ioki’s app for ride booking, routing, and on-demand optimization → Nissan Ariya EVs, equipped with WeRide’s L4 autonomous technology, will headline the pilot phase. → Backed by SBB, the Canton of Zurich, and the Swiss Transit Lab (STL), the project brings together expertise in rail, public transit, and autonomous technology to address suburban mobility challenges My thoughts: This initiative is a strategic play that exemplifies how technology, partnerships, and regional innovation can reshape the future of mobility. Switzerland's extensive rail network is a backbone for connecting cities and towns, but suburban areas often face significant gaps in transportation options. This is where WeRide steps in, with its proven L4 autonomous driving technology, to complement and enhance existing public transit. What makes this project particularly exciting is the strategic alignment of all stakeholders. SBB, the Canton of Zurich, and STL each bring unique expertise to the table. Meanwhile, ioki’s on-demand software ensures seamless integration with user needs, enabling efficient routing and scheduling. This isn’t just a technological showcase—it’s a masterclass in ecosystem collaboration. This pilot also reflects WeRide’s growing influence in Europe. Within just 8 months, WeRide has launched 3 major initiatives: an autonomous minibus service at Zurich Airport, an L4 shuttle at the 2024 French Open in Paris, and now this pilot in Zurich’s suburbs. The backdrop of this expansion could be the growing geopolitical tension between the U.S. and China. The recent U.S. ban on Chinese technology in vehicles, citing national security and data privacy concerns, is a clear indication that Chinese mobility companies face significant barriers in one of the world’s largest markets. This makes Europe an even more strategic focus for WeRide and other Chinese technology players. Unlike the U.S., Europe has not imposed blanket bans, though it does enforce strict regulations, particularly around data privacy. For WeRide, success in Europe hinges on its ability to comply with these standards and demonstrate that its technology is not only innovative but also secure. Collaborating with trusted local partners like SBB and STL further strengthens WeRide’s position and aligns its solutions with European values. I’m excited to see how this develops over the coming years. What’s your perspective?

🚨Pony.ai & GAC Aion to co-develop and mass-produce fully autonomous Robotaxis Here's what you need to know: → Fully redundant Robotaxis combining Pony.ai’s L4 autonomy and GAC AION’s EV platform. →1,000 Robotaxis Planned: Targeting large-scale production. →First Batch in 2025: Deployment starts in the Greater Bay Area. →Aiming for positive gross profit at scale. →Proven Partners: Collaboration since 2018, with successful public trials already completed. My thoughts: This partnership is a significant milestone for autonomous mobility, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges. Pony.ai and GAC AION’s vision to deploy scalable, profitable Robotaxis is bold, but the path to achieving it remains complex. Pony.ai’s has an operational track record. With fully driverless, fare-charging Robotaxis running in Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, and a fleet of 250 vehicles averaging 15 daily rides per car, they’ve proven the viability of Level 4 autonomy in real-world conditions. Expanding this success through a collaboration with GAC AION, aiming at 1,000 units and an initial deployment in 2025, is a great progression. The Greater Bay Area, with its high demand, regulatory alignment, and advanced infrastructure, provides an ideal launchpad for refining the operational and economic model. When it comes to profitability, the question is whether Pony.ai can turn its ambitious plans into actual financial performance. At its core, profitability is about aligning unit economics with scale. This means driving down fixed costs like hardware and manufacturing while ensuring high utilization rates to amortize costs over a larger base Investors will need to see clear evidence that each vehicle can contribute meaningfully to cash flow, not just cover its costs. Global expansion adds another layer of complexity. While the Greater Bay Area is an ideal starting point, scaling internationally requires navigating fragmented regulations, infrastructure gaps, and varying levels of consumer trust. This partnership’s success in adapting its model to these challenges will determine whether it sets a global standard or remains regionally confined. I remain bullish on autonomous mobility. Combining driverless fleets with EV platforms offers transformative potential: lower emissions, reduced congestion, and equitable access to transportation. Pony.ai and GAC AION’s collaboration is a step toward that vision, but execution will be key. This isn’t just about deploying Robotaxis; it’s about building a sustainable mobility ecosystem. What do you think?

𝐎𝐡 𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐝, 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐞 500 𝐀𝐕𝐬 Our PwC panel on #autonomous mobility at #CES highlighted a stark reality: the demand for autonomous vehicles (#AVs) far exceeds current supply. Despite announcements and advances, providers are not yet meeting market needs (except LA, SF and Wuhan). Endre Angelvik from Ruter As, Oslo’s ambitious transport operator with its vision of 30,000 shared AVs, sparked debate with his wish to find someone at CES who could provide him 500 AVs by year-end. While Chris Lichtmannecker (Mobileye), Liangbin Yao (Apollo) and Justin Spratt (Vay) agreed the technology is ready, they had different views on the key hurdles in Europe, particularly: 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: National-level vehicle type approvals are manageable for local players but challenging for Chinese companies. City-specific approvals for AV operations further slow growth. Scale-focused US players, like Waymo, avoid fragmented markets, expanding e.g. first Tokyo. 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Europe’s >100 AD pilots remain small-sized (<10 vehicles). Scaling up requires operational expertise, which European players are yet to develop. Hamburg may lead with a larger deployment from multiple partners (MOIA, Mobileye, HOLON, ...) in 2026+. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠: In the US and China, AV markets are B2C, backed by cash-rich tech giants like Google, Amazon, Baidu, Inc.. In Europe, AV markets are seen as B2G, reliant on lengthy tender processes from PTOs. Bridging the financing gap for providers & operators — until unit economics improve — requires support from entities like the European Investment Bank (EIB). There are promising players ready to master these challenges, yet with different maturity: Waymo: Global leader with >700 vehicles in operation; new Zeekr RT and Hyundai IONIQ5 models offer lower unit costs. Zoox: Purpose-built AV launching in Las Vegas in 2025; rapid US expansion expected via Amazon’s playbook. WeRide: Expanding internationally (e.g., UAE with Uber, Zurich Airport); 147 vehicles sold per IPO prospectus. Pony.ai: Active in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen; JV with NEOM (KSA), R&D in Luxembourg; 140 Robotrucks Apollo (Baidu, Inc.): >7 million rides, >400 vehicles in Wuhan; limited but growing international presence. Mobileye: Europe’s most advanced virtual driver; partnerships with VW, Moia, Holon for AV services. Vay: Offers tele-operated driving—vehicles delivered remotely, driven by customers. Others #startups like May Mobility, TIER IV, Wayve, and HOLON focus on AD kits, software, or vehicle integration but remain years from commercial operations. For Europeans, now is the time for action: #PTOs: Form regional super clusters by partnering to create demand for fleets >1,000 vehicles. #AV Providers: Collaborate across the value chain to deliver full-service solutions tailored for public transport authorities. #Citizens: Advocate for public investment programs to fund regional clusters of >10,000 vehicles by 2030. Who is in?

Join Us for the Signing Ceremony of a Landmark Partnership Between Rekab Solutions for Transportation Services and May Mobility ----------------------------------------- 🗓️ Date: Wednesday, November 20th 🕔 Time: 5:00 PM 📍 Location: Signing Stage, Mobility Live Conference ✍🏻About the Partnership: Rekab Solutions Company and May Mobility are proud to announce a strategic partnership that will reshape urban mobility and propel cities toward becoming smarter, more sustainable ecosystems. This collaboration represents a pivotal step in the evolution of autonomous transportation, ushering in a safer, more efficient, and highly accessible future for mobility. The partnership aims to deliver innovative, on-demand mobility services by combining Rekab Solutions' expertise in local transportation solutions with May Mobility's patented Multi-Policy Decision Making (MPDM) technology. MPDM is the only autonomous vehicle technology that interprets data in real-time, continuously learning from and adapting to new, complex and even unpredictable driving conditions to help create a safer, more comfortable ride. May Mobility also has a positive track record of working closely with its partners across 10 active deployments in the U.S. and Japan to solve today's mobility challenges. Together, Rekab Solutions and May Mobility will determine where and how May Mobility's autonomous vehicles can best fill transportation gaps, providing mobility services where there is greater demand. The companies will deploy a fleet of autonomous vehicles that seamlessly integrate with existing transportation networks, providing residents and visitors with a superior commuting experience. This partnership is not just about transportation, it's about creating better cities. By reducing traffic congestion, lowering emissions, and minimizing accidents caused by human error, Rekab and May Mobility are committed to enhancing quality of life while building a greener, more sustainable future.

Shaping the future of mobility together 🤝 We want to actively be a part of shaping the mobility of the future and use autonomous shuttles to drive in Hamburg – to reduce traffic on the roads and for the common good. We are introducing autonomous ridepooling to the streets of Hamburg with the ALIKE project, in collaboration with Hamburger Hochbahn AG and HOLON, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, the Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT) and the Hamburg Ministry of Transport and Mobility Transition. It is this interaction between public and private companies that makes the project unique. The goal is to work together to test an autonomous on-demand ridepooling system in public transport. In addition, the project aims to research the acceptance of autonomous transport services in everyday practice. 🚌 MOIA is taking on a dual role in the ALIKE project as a fleet operator and technology supplier. In addition, vehicles from different providers will be seamlessly integrated into a ridepooling service: "MOIA forms the framework of the project and combines the different providers' components into an attractive offer. In the future, people in Hamburg will be able to order autonomous mobility via both the MOIA and hvv switch apps. With this project, we are showing our strategic goal of an open mobility platform for shared autonomous transport in reality," says MOIA CEO Sascha Meyer. Find out more about this project here: https://lnkd.in/euhmiH6Y