From 65 registrations, 25 startups have been selected for Mobility Lab 2021. In the coming months, they will work together with companies, governments or citizen initiatives to find solutions for mobility problems. Mobility Lab, the startup program in the field of mobility, links the selected startups to a suitable partner to test their innovations in practice.
“A nice number. We were surprised by the diversity of registrations, says project leader Janneke Brouwer. Ultimately, 25 national and international startups were selected for the 9-month program. 19 startups are from the Netherlands and the other participants are from the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium and Austria. Never before have so many foreign startups registered to test their innovative solution in the Rotterdam, Noord-Brabant or Limburg region. A great development that demonstrates that mobility problems are universal and are not limited to one country.”
Sustainability
Sustainability is also an increasingly important theme in the world of mobility. Brouwer: “We saw this clearly in the entries. Sustainability is a top priority for a large part of the selected startups. From Zero-emission transport, an app that gives you route advice for green transport, sustainable tires for electric vehicles to a rewards program for sustainable kilometers.
Inclusive mobility
This year there is also extra attention for inclusive mobility. After all, mobility is not a matter of course for everyone. This includes people with a physical disability, people with a lower income or people who live in remote or rural areas. Several startups have been selected this year that are committed to this. “The mobility system of the future is also inclusive,” says Janneke Brouwer. Some examples are a Spanish startup, which uses a software solution for flexible bus services to enable public transport in areas with a low population density. A German startup, which has created a compact, easier to transport wheelchair, and an Austrian startup, which has developed an audio navigation app, are also contributing to inclusive mobility.
Testing at launching customers and citizen initiatives
In the coming months, Mobility Lab will link the selected startups to so-called launching customers by means of speed dates. These are parties with a specific mobility problem where innovation can possibly be a solution. For example, cars are not welcome in the Brainport Smart District in Helmond, but at the same time the streets in the neighborhood must be accessible for emergency services, people with a disabled parking card and removal vans. And Breda University of Applied Sciences (Buas) wants a post corona solution for the crowds in public transport to the campus during rush hour. The province of South Holland is looking for a door-to-door solution for the last kilometers from the public transport hub to the final destination. In addition, various municipalities want to improve road safety around schools.
Mobility Lab will introduce the startups to more than 100 different companies and governments. For example, Brainport Eindhoven, the ANWB, NS and Heijmans are taking part. This year Mobility Lab is also strongly committed to solving local challenges in the field of mobility. Active citizens or neighborhoods that experience mobility problems and see opportunities to improve the mobility experience in their neighborhood can register free of charge until the summer. Various neighborhood platforms have already registered. For example, citizens from a neighborhood in Tilburg are looking for a way to make sustainable alternatives more attractive to residents than the car.
Alumni
This edition Mobility Lab also involves former participants in the program. Mobility Lab alumni who would like to continue testing or encounter new challenges are invited to make use of the Mobility Lab network again this year. More information, including participants and cases, can be found at www.mobilitylab.nl/startups.
“Why throw the baby out with the bathwater? Together we make an impact and ensure a more accessible, sustainable mobility system.”
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