Last week I was at the French startup event LeWeb’12 to get some fresh ideas about digital marketing trends on the startup scene. The theme of this year was the IoT aka the “Internet of Things”, so you could find many connected devices : smartphones, thermostats, watches, drones, headsets, weight or blood trackers that were all mobile and connected things. So why not connect these geeky devices to more familiar transportation & mobility products? IF WE connect internet and transportation, can it offer innovative and profitable mobility concepts?

I was there in my reflexions when I saw the Renault booth at LeWeb and just decided to chat with them to share ideas. And since I had my smartphone with me, I used it to record this impromptu one shot video, so pardon its low quality.

Getting people back to work thanks to the Mobility community

I met with Florent d’Yvoire, who is project manager on the Renault-MOBILIZ Social Business project to know more about mobility innovation. Our main discussion was about the Renault-MOBILIZ which I found very innovative but not on technology as we usually expect, but more on the business side: This project was born at the Corporate Social Responsibility department of Renault with a vision: looking for sustainable ways to help the poorest benefit from an affordable mobility, so that they can find work and get out of poverty. Beyond that, the innovation is also in the business model that is inspired by the microcredit concept developed by Muhammad Yunus so that it can ensure the financial viability of the project.

In this context the Renault-MOBILIZ program is looking for more connections within the transportation and mobility community of professionals: they are looking for partnerships with entreprises and citizens on providing products, services, and assistance in getting driver’s licenses. Dassault Systèmes can certainly help with its communication to transportation & mobility professionals. More to come on this…

A car-sharing pilot with electric cars

Renault also launched Twizyway, an innovative car-sharing concept in the Paris area with 50 Twizy. These 100% battery-driven cars are beautiful, fun and safe to drive. They are available all day and are tracked and booked via smartphone apps. People use these cars then leave them in the location of their convenience to ensure maximum flexibility for drivers. Customers just scan a QR Code on the windshield and go. So this is quite similar to the Autolib project deployed near there in Paris, but with less constraints at first glance.

Digital apps on the dashboard of your car

The final topic presented by Renault was the second edition of their “call for apps” that will be installed on the dashboard of future cars in a tablet called R-Link. New Zoe and Clio models will benefit from them , Renault was there to call for startups willing to develop new services on their infrastructure.

Renault’s motto is “Drive the change”, now you can see why!  What about you, how would you match internet and transportation yourself? Do you see the digitalization of the world as an opportunity for new mobilities?

Thanks for posting your view in the “comments” field below

Jacques

Jacques Bidault is Industry Marketing Director, Transportation and Mobility at Dassault Systèmes

Be Authentic…Do What’s Right…Simplicity…Mobility Services…New Usages…

Sustainable Mobility to address pending environmental, economical and social issues…

There is a new generation of car users, people who feel responsible for their environment. Citizens of all social categories, who strive for the right measures to be taken.

If this means something to you and your passionate about being part of the solution then the eCar Design Challenge is where you can express yourself!

Dassault Systèmes, in collaboration with 40 Fires, is hosting this international design challenge for professionals, students and design enthusiasts.

The car will transport 2 passengers and their luggage with ease. It will have a carbon fibre monocoque. The vehicle will be powered by H2 fuel cell technology, driven by 4 hub motors, one in each wheel. This innovative technology will allow a completely new design layout and therefore a fresh approach to the architecture of the vehicle. For recycling reasons the car body will be finished in raw carbon. New usages & services need to be invented together with a holistic company-philosophy that will seriously address the pending environmental, economical and social issues. Aerodynamics will play a key role in the vehicle design and therefore the car’s frontal footprint must be taken into account.  The vehicle should be aesthetically advanced without being shocking.

Awards: The winning designer will come with DS to the Frankfurt Auto Show in September and present to professionals and the public

The Jury:

• Anne Asensio who leads the Design Studio at Dassault Systèmes
• Christopher Reitz the head designer at Riversimple
• Guest star to be announced…

3 phases:

• Sketch It (13th June to 17th July) – post your 2D sketches (3 exterior views + 2 interior views)
• Model It (18th July to 28th August) – the 5 finalists chosen by the community and the jury will be supported by DS to model their designs in 3D
• Experience It (29th August to 9th September) – the winning design will be integrated into a 3D virtual experience illustrating the new usages and services

Registration and submission details can be found on the eCar Design Challenge community, just follow the video below to logon and get access:

Good luck and have fun!

Yours sustainably,

Jonathan

Whilst walking around the Paris Auto Show, Kate and I just happened to bump into Anne Asensio who leads the DS Design Studio…actually we went looking for her as we knew she’d have some great insights into this year’s show and the future trends in mobility.

I asked Anne a few questions about the role of industrial designers in sustainable mobility, the evolution of the car thanks to its electrification and finally how is it all going to change the way that designers, engineers and suppliers will work, and even the way the car is sold.

I love listening to Anne. She understands the Auto industry so well thanks to her previous job at GM and has a great positive vision for the future of mobility, i.e. cars!

What’s key it that the car will be re-invented, but that’s not all, I believe (and I’m far from alone) that the whole industry’s business model will radically change – let’s face it, it has to if it wants to be sustainable and keep people truly mobile (instead of an average of 10km/h in cities).

Before the Auto Show I spent two days with Riversimple and SIM Drive, one with HEV & MaaS (hydrogen electric vehicle and Mobility as a Service), and the other with a BEV (battery electric vehicle) platform for retro-fitting. The platform was interesting as for me it conjured up the days when coach builders made some of the most beautiful cars in the world without being constrained by the monocoque, maybe we’ll see this soon?

The companies had many similarities especially on how to develop their technologies by harnessing the world’s talent. They believe that developing the car on a virtual platform on-line is the only way for customers to have to product they want that is right for the environment.

I also couldn’t resist checking out the fabulous Tesla Roadster, how much do I want one….?!!! And by the way they’re our customer and will be presenting at the Dassault Systèmes Customer Conference in Florida this November.  Check out their video:

So do you agree that these are radical times for the mobility market?

Sustainably yours,
Jonathan