Nineteen startups have been selected from 41 applications for Mobility Lab 2022, a startup program in the mobility field. Program links selected startup ‘Don’t talk but test!’ to the first customer. In this way, startups can prove their innovation in practice.

Startups from the Netherlands and abroad are signing up for the sixth edition of Mobility Lab. The ten selected startups came from the Netherlands. The other nine startups are from Belgium, England, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Turkey, Singapore and America. The startups will test their innovations during a nine-month program in the regions of Rotterdam, Noord-Brabant, Limburg and Utrecht.

Sustainability plays a major role

Sustainability is at the core of the entries for the ninth edition of Mobility Lab. Examples include 100% fossil-free off-grid charging hubs for electric cars and trucks. However, also think about the revolutionary high-pressure air motor for propulsion of all vehicles and ships now running or cruising on diesel, gasoline or gas. Another select startup is working on smart, usable and mobile solar panels. This should make solar energy accessible everywhere.

Security

Security is also an issue for many startups. For example, a startup is participating that wants to make docks or locks more secure with the help of a sensor solution. Other startups ensure that data is communicated between machines and infrastructure in a reliable and secure manner. In addition, start-ups take part in wanting to make the driving experience more enjoyable and safe. This is by making the driver aware of, for example, fatigue, aggression, fear and distraction while driving.

Shared transportation

The third topic that will return in Mobility Lab 2022 is shared transportation. This includes offering neighborhood parking facilities with shared transportation, but also shared electric car delivery from a set of postal codes. Another example is the SaaS platform for organizing and optimizing shuttle services for employees. This system allows, among other things, to accurately record CO2 emissions and reductions in employee transportation. This will become mandatory for companies with more than 100 employees starting January 2023.

The following startups have been selected for Mobility Lab 2022:

• Buus Mobility – SaaS platform for managing and optimizing shuttle services.
• AI Emotion Options – helps to make the driver aware of, for example, tiredness or emotions while driving.
• Optiyol – offers route optimization and differentiates itself with efficient and practical route autonomous planning.
• Real-time Road Inspection – record the current state of the road or public space in real-time from the car for road maintenance purposes.
• Bia – develops smart charging software to monitor and optimize the charging of electric vehicles, with the aim of making charging more environmentally friendly.
• Maritime Sensors – offers a sensor solution that makes the mooring of inland vessels at docks or locks safer.
• Neighborhood parking facilities – offer parking facilities at the neighborhood level filled with shared transportation, such as bicycles, e-bikes, delivery bikes, cargo bikes, and e-scooters.
• Student Mobility – provides mobility solutions for international students in the Netherlands.
• Swugo – offers a subscription service to build existing electric bikes, including maintenance.
• CMS (Crowd Management Service) – mobility dashboard to provide insight into crowds or predict expected crowds in specific areas or locations.
• THEO UG – semi-autonomous delivery robot suitable for bike paths and a maximum payload of 100kg.
• FlexiModal – produces two self-designed bicycle trailers for professional users with long-distance transportation purposes.
• WingDriver.inc – provides an application that supports driver safety using face and eye analysis.
• Green Caravan – develops 100% fossil-free charging hubs for electric cars and trucks. This hub is separate from the power grid.
• Levante – making energy accessible via origami-inspired solar panels that are easy to move and fold.
• MyMove – offers the opportunity for car dealers, car rental companies and organizations with companies or service fleets to share or rent out their fleets efficiently.
• Solution Air – offers a high-pressure air motor running on emission-free air.
• ANGOKA – offers cybersecurity solutions to realize a secure connection.
• APPACAR – provides customized shared electric cars from a set of postal codes.

Quick date with customer launch

Selected startups are linked by Mobility Lab to launch customers via fast date. These are the parties who have certain mobility problems that solution innovations can offer. The parties will jointly develop a tailor-made innovation pilot, after which the mobility solution will be tested in practice.

“Once again we were struck by the creativity of the startups for this 6th edition of Mobility Lab! Practical applications and solutions that can make the lives of Dutch people healthier and more livable. We do see a trend: more solutions for the part of the mobility concept, but less disruptive concepts overall. We will use those insights to ensure that future editions of Mobility Lab remain relevant,” said Hans Stevens of the Municipality of Rotterdam, who founded Mobility Lab in 2017.

‘Give startups a boost’

“Mobility Lab will introduce startups to over 100 different companies and governments in the coming months. For example, Ahoy Rotterdam, Achmea, Brabant Mobility Network and Zuid-Limburg Ookbaar participated. It’s a great mix of organizations that praise smart mobility and want to give startups a big boost. In this way, the selected startups will ultimately contribute to a smarter mobility system and also to a safer, cleaner, more sustainable and more accessible Netherlands,” said Paul Bevers, SmartwayZ Program Innovation and Development Team Leader. NL.

Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Photo: Pixabay / thistleAPPArath