On-demand services, self-driving cars and other new technologies are set to increasingly transform the way we go about our daily lives. Here, Daniel Lyons, director at EY, sets out some thoughts on how to define smart mobility, what is fuelling this trend (pun intended), and what advances we might expect in the next few years.
Much has been written about the transport sector facing its biggest transition since motor vehicles replaced the horse and buggy – this transition is an evolution into what many are calling “smart mobility”. For me, smart mobility can be defined as a way to move people and goods using new technology that is faster, cleaner, more accessible and less expensive than traditional options. It is about striving towards frictionless, automated and personalised travel on-demand.
According to the UN, 60% of the world’s population will live in cities by 2030 – that’s nearly 1.5 billion more than in 2010. This rapid urbanisation is prompting governments to upgrade infrastructure, alleviate congestion, address pollution and build new greener “smart cities” from the ground up. Advances in battery technology, artificial intelligence and automation are resulting in longer-range electric vehicles and the emergence of self-driving cars....