Welcome to the inaugural InMotion mobility briefing, a new and regular series dedicated to bringing you the latest news in mobility, startups and transport tech from the past two weeks.
In this edition, Uber’s main rival in India makes a big announcement, the UK government injects some funding into car-sharing clubs and BlackBerry enjoys a new lease of life, showing off its incredible ‘smart car’ software at CES.
Future transport
From smartphones to smart cars: BlackBerry goes autonomous
BlackBerry may have gone quiet on the smartphone front in recent years, but the Canadian telecommunications company has been anything but idle. Instead looking to use its software to help develop safe, self-driving cars.
“Pushing hard into the car world, because cars are the new smartphones”
Wired
Speaking to WIRED at CES earlier in January, John Wall, senior vice president and head of BlackBerry QNX, said that “the electronic architecture of cars is evolving”, adding that BlackBerry’s new software “is suited not only for cars, but also for almost any safety – or mission-critical application that requires 64-bit performance and advanced security”.
Car-sharing
UK government set to invest in car-sharing clubs
Car-sharing clubs could be set for a more central role in UK transport, with the Department for Transport announcing a new investment to the tune of £64 million.
“We are committed to improving how people travel”
Gov.UK
Alongside cycle schemes and walk to work initiatives, car-sharing will be encouraged as a way to make short journeys cheaper and safer, reduce road congestion in UK urban areas and slash pollution levels. The funding is part of a wider package of £300 million, which will be used to support local transport projects up until 2020.
Ride-sharing
Car wars: Ola eyes expansion with new COO appointment
The battle for ride-sharing dominance in India continues as Ola, a major rival to Uber on the subcontinent, hired Vishal Kaul as its new COO. The appointment comes as Uber reaffirms its focus in India after selling its China business to rival Didi Chuxing.
Kaul, who joins from Pepsi, will be stepping into his first role at a tech company. Taking the service beyond its current 100 plus cities will be his key goal.
Multimodal
Deloitte highlights MaaS as a future trend in transport
Mobility as a service (MaaS) is becoming the “next revolution in urban travel” through the creation of a user-centred mobility paradigm, according to the Deloitte Review.
“As governments and business leaders look to reshape the way urbanites get around, there are lessons that can be learned from markets around the globe”
Deloitte
The article takes an in-depth look at how by creating a seamless digital platform that integrates end-to-end planning, travel and payment arrangements, MaaS is changing the way urbanites get around cities.
Smart parking
Western Europe set for smart parking boost
Smart parking could grow by as much as 14% over the next four years in Western Europe, according to new report Smart Parking Market in Western Europe 2016-2020. The increased deployment of smart parking sensors will drive this expansion.
“Smart parking systems have greatly reduced vehicle overcrowding, which would otherwise result in congestion problems”
Tech Announcer
The report suggests that smart parking schemes have played a significant role in reducing road congestion, as well as cutting pollution levels. They also make inner city parking easier, which anyone who’s ever tried to park in a busy city centre will be thankful for.
Startups
Top entrepreneurs set to mentor promising UK startups
Tech City UK has selected 33 of Britain’s most exciting tech startups to take part in its prestigious six-month development programme Upscale 2017. With a focus on scaling their product, the chosen startups will be mentored by a team of successful entrepreneurs.
“Scaling fast and scaling together!”
Tech City UK
Mentors including Martha Lane Fox and Brent Hoberman (lastminute.com), Riccardo Zacconi (Candy Crush) and David Buttress (Just Eat) will oversee the programme, which counts successful businesses Pact, Thread and Property Partner as alumni.
Accelerators
Tech giant targets Bristol with new accelerator
Bristol is set to receive invaluable mentoring and cloud computing resource from Oracle, as the computer tech company launches a new accelerator in the UK city to help cultivate tech startups.
“We’re making a multimillion-dollar commitment to foster start-ups and innovation ecosystems”
Forbes
The Bristol accelerator, which will be located in the city’s Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone, will give startups access to investors, coworking space and cutting-edge technology.
