Japan – The Toyota Mobility Foundation and the Bali Provincial Government launch its “Sustainable Mobility Advancing Real Transformation” (SMART) program that aims to sustainably address mobility issues in Ubud, Bali

Aug 24, 2023 | Business

The Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF), a non-profit Foundation established by Toyota Motor Corporation, will cooperate with the Bali Provincial Government for its Sustainable Mobility Advancing Real Transformation (SMART) @Ubud Program, a 6-month closed eco-system trial from September 2023 to February 2024. The program is co-organized by Deloitte Future of Mobility Solution Centre (Deloitte)*1, with the support of the Transport Department of Provincial Government of Bali and Toyota Indonesia. The goal of the program, as outlined in the Letter of Intent (LOI) from the Bali Provincial Government to TMF, is to encourage sustainable mobility through efficient usage of data-driven and electrified transport solutions.

*1 Deloitte Future of Mobility (FoM) Solution Center, located in Singapore, addresses global mobility challenges, and develops new solutions and assets for the ecosystem as it undergoes an unprecedented transformation.

During this trial, TMF will be making an investment of USD 1.7 million (IDR 26 billion) to conduct the trial of two mobility solutions in Ubud, Bali:

The first solution being the introduction of ten units of an on-demand xEV shuttle service to operate in the Central Ubud Area, with multiple stops that are all located within a 10-minute walking distance from key tourist destinations and popular local sites;

The second solution being the installation of nine digital display monitors along high-traffic bus stops within the Trans Metro Dewata Route, providing real time visualization of bus schedules for commuters, allowing for greater convenience, especially when used in conjunction with the first solution.

In addition to implementing these two solutions, TMF will engage in capacity building initiatives, with the end goal of developing concrete recommendations to create a potentially sustainable and viable business models tailored to the local community, and thereby enhance the state of mobility in Ubud by reducing air pollution, alleviating traffic congestion, and promoting the use of electrified public transportation. Furthermore, the recommendations are aimed at allowing governments and any interested parties to scale and replicate the model across Bali, Indonesia and beyond.

Background

This project marks the continuation of Toyota’s involvement as an electrified solution provider during G20 and is a showcase of its constant commitment to the Indonesian society. TMF selected Ubud in Bali, Indonesia as the ideal location for project implementation due to its prominence as a leading tourist destination, as identified by the Republic of Indonesia, in addition to its commitment to sustainability and its closed ecosystem being an ideal environment for trial implementations.

In addition, SMART @Ubud aligns with Bali’s designation as a target zone for electrified vehicles and the broader objectives of Bali Province’s 2026 electric mobility plan. Through the SMART @Ubud project, TMF seeks to understand the appropriate conditions and requirements to scale electrified vehicles. It understands that there are multiple pathways to electrification, and aims to support the Bali government in determining the ideal cases and archetypes for each powertrain, in order to make further progress towards the shared goal of decarbonization.

Solution Overview

The solutions to be implemented for the SMART @Ubud project include:

Solution 1 Smart xEV Shuttle Services (SMART Shuttle @Ubud) supported by a booking app developed by SWAT Mobility, designed to enhance the convenience of tourist and resident transportation. To enable the service, passengers download a passenger application and select the pick-up and drop-off points from predetermined stops. Five battery electric vehicles and five hybrid electric vehicles will be deployed free-of-charge during the trial, and the on demand operations will be run in collaboration with the Ubud Community.

Solution 2 Dynamic Bus Schedule Displays developed by Papercast and customized considering the needs of the local community, able to visualize estimated arrival times of the Trans Metro Dewata bus. The solution was designed to increase public bus utilization, while allowing for greater convenience and efficiency for passengers by visualizing bus timetables, maps, and other Point of Interest advertisements. Additionally, this solution will be linked to the SMART Shuttle @Ubud to enhance the ability for the customer to better plan their overall journey.

Remarks

Pras Ganesh, Executive Program Director of the Toyota Mobility Foundation noted, “TMF designed this project to meet its three principles, (1) Sustainability, ensuring solutions are able to improve the quality of life of the residents of Bali in an environmentally and economically sustainable manner, (2) Innovation, encouraging introduction of novel data-driven and electrified solutions, including HEV and BEV, and (3) Partnership, empowering local stakeholders to continue solutions even beyond TMF involvement by providing capacity building activities that are aligned to real local needs. We are working towards creating a blueprint of a sustainable business model that will allow the community of Ubud to scale the impact achieved during this trial. We are excited to launch this solution alongside all our partners, who are likeminded with the aims of promoting the concept of mobility for all and carbon neutrality.”

About Toyota Mobility Foundation

The Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) was established in August 2014 by the Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) to support the development of a more mobile society in which everyone can move freely. The Foundation underscores TMC’s on-going commitment to continuous improvement and respect for people. It utilizes Toyota’s expertise and technologies to support strong mobility systems while eliminating disparities in mobility. TMF works in partnership with universities, governments, non-profits, research institutions and other organizations, creating programs are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address mobility issues around the world.

Moving forward, the Toyota Group will continue to utilize the technologies and know-how it has cultivated through its business activities as well as through collaboration with various partners, to promote activities in line with the concept of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) set by the United Nations. Overall, the Toyota Group aims to contribute to building a society where all individuals and communities can live joyfully and prosperously.

IAA Mobility: FORVIA showcases its technology at Europe’s largest Automotive trade show

Jul 27, 2023 | Business

– FORVIA presents its portfolio in three strategic growth areas: electrification and energy management, safe and automated driving as well as digital and sustainable cockpit experiences

– With its solutions, FORVIA underlines its commitment to reach net zero CO2 emissions by 2045

Lippstadt – WEBWIRE –

FORVIA, the worlds seventh largest automotive technology supplier, combining the innovation competences of Faurecia and HELLA, will present its technology portfolio in three strategic growth areas at the IAA Mobility 2023 in Munich: electrification and energy management, safe and automated driving and digital and sustainable cockpit experiences. Today, every second vehicle worldwide is equipped with FORVIA technologies. In 2022, the Group generated sales of 25.5 billion and employs 157,000 employees across the globe.

Patrick Koller, CEO of FORVIA: “At IAA Mobility, we are presenting our solutions along our three major strategic growth drivers. We expect double-digit annual market growth in each of these areas until 2025. We are therefore presenting our contribution to advanced, sustainable mobility of the future. European OEMs in particular are facing a huge challenge in the global race to transform mobility. With our excellent development and engineering expertise, FORVIA is an enabler to help them tackle this task.

Michel Favre, CEO of HELLA: “Following our highly acclaimed appearances at CES in Las Vegas and the Shanghai Auto Show, we are pleased to also showcase our technology portfolio at the most important automotive trade fair in Europe. Although we are a global player, both HELLA and Faurecia have their roots in Europe. Many of our largest and most important customers are based here. In this respect, our presence at the IAA Mobility is of very high importance for us.

A bold leader in sustainable mobility

With its solutions, FORVIA underlines its commitment to reach net zero CO2 emissions by 2045. The Group uses its extensive know-how to create safe, advanced, individual and sustainable mobility experiences. At IAA, FORVIA is focusing on selected highlight exhibits that give visitors an insight into its portfolio of key Automotive technologies in electrification, connectivity and sustainability: The Cabin Centerpiece Lumires includes technologies from the areas of seats, electronics, interiors, lighting, HMI and displays that make a decisive contribution to CO2 reduction in the cockpit.

As a solution provider for all types of powertrains, FORVIAs Zero Emission Powertrain is part of our strategic pillar Electrification and Energy Management will demonstrate how its fuel cell systems, HELLAs high-voltage EV components and scalable zone architecture fit into a single chassis. In the Safe and Automated Driving exhibit, visitors will experience how key technologies in the cockpit promote confidence in automated driving: best-in-class sensors, perceptive software, data fusion, and fail-safe by-wire technology for steering and braking.

Digital and sustainable cockpit experiences: Sustainable interior materials made from natural fibers such as hemp or pineapple leaves, or from recycled materials, developed by FORVIAs new division, MATERIACT, will also be on show at the booth, and are expected to achieve a CO2 reduction of up to 85 percent.

FORVIA in Germany

As a global player with European roots, FORVIA is also strongly represented in Germany: Every day, more than 15,000 employees at over 40 German locations use their expertise and innovative strength to the benefit of the Groups global customer portfolio. Over decades, FORVIA has built up solid relationships with all major European car manufacturers to support them in their transformation approaches. As of 2022, the region Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) represents 45 percent of FORVIAs annual sales. In addition, FORVIA works closely with an ecosystem of universities, research institutes and start-ups to drive R&D in the region.

FORVIA at IAA Mobility 2023

Meet us from 4 to 8 September 2023 at the Summit in Hall A2 / Booth C40.

FORVIA will offer various media and discussion formats on 4 September 2023, including moderated tours of the FORVIA stand followed by a Q&A session with Patrick Koller, CEO of FORVIA & Michel Favre, CEO of HELLA. If you are interested in participating, please feel free to contact the persons mentioned in this press release.

Slowing down to ramp up: why net zero mobility needs degrowth

Mar 2, 2023 | Business

Electrification is a necessary step towards sustainable mobility. However, it has never been sufficient. Mobility in the twenty-first century will necessitate more than simply switching to a cleaner energy source, writes Andreas Budiman.

WEBWIRE –

Decarbonising transport takes vast amounts of resources. According to a new study published within the LOCOMOTION project, achieving net zero by mid-century might deplete manganese, nickel and graphite reserves, materials which make decarbonisation possible in the first place.

The study used four scenarios to explore what it would take to decarbonise transport by 80% by 2050, each driven by a specific narrative: a gradual adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs), high EV mainstreaming, light electric mobility and a major reduction in transport. Each scenario had a set of policies, leading to different levels of resource demand and material scarcity. In most cases, the future seems all but bright.

Batteries with trade-offs

The researchers looked at how our needs for energy and resources might change depending on the scenario. Going full-scale on EVs would mean a vast 60x increase above current battery power, from 0.7 TW to 40 TW annually. High EV mainstreaming would put a heavy burden on resources: we would quickly run out of lithium, cobalt, and graphite flake reserves, with nickel soon to follow.

Still, even the more sustainable degrowth path would require a 7x increase in battery power, given the need to replace fossil-based mobility. Degrowth would put little strain on materials like copper and manganese but still require cobalt and lithium quantities equal to half of the current reserves.

Researchers compared battery types such as LMO, NCA, and NMC and how overall resource constraints might influence their uptake and market share. By estimating the energy Stored on Energy Invested (ESOI) ratio, researchers could tell how much energy an e-bike or an EV battery may store during its useful lifetime, compared to the energy used to produce it and supportive infrastructure, such as inverters, wires and chargers.

LMO batteries will likely lead the future battery markets in terms of ratios. Even though NCA and NMC batteries have better ESOI ratios, the lack of key materials like nickel and cobalt will make it harder for them to grow. Both may expect to capture only close to a quarter of the total market share. limited demand on scarce resources but a lower ESOI. Material scarcities may, in part, be resolved by recycling, but this will also not come easy, as some materials are hard to recover, recycling systems differ in efficiency, and moving materials also requires energy.

When energy and materials for producing the infrastructure for EVs are considered, they would also be ​​as CO2 intensive or more than ICEV counterparts, according to the research findings, adding to the growing concern about the inherent sustainability of EVs. And yet, the story of individual mobility spans beyond its environmental impact.

The price of freedom

Offering the freedom of movement for a few, cars have often become a driver of urban injustice, debt traps and death machines.

Do we want a society where a few can roam freely across the country but many more cant afford the ride to another city? Do we want 20 000 road fatalities annually as the price of travel needs that rarely surpass 20 km per day? So far, our answer is the growing number of cars per citizen.

System change will almost certainly require more than affordable EVs, but that doesnt mean we should stop all travel. Rather, it requires careful allocation of resources to serve real human needs. The mobility systems aligned with degrowth principles will mean lower noise levels, fewer accidents, lower traffic congestion, better air and health, and reduced heat island effect.

More inclusive cities where people spend more time on the streets and use equitable transport systems instead of cars may also feature higher levels of mutual trust and lower crime rates.

A different future for mobility

The systems we build define the range of what is possible. Designing a mobility system thats simultaneously green and inclusive isnt easy. Luckily, glimpses into a better future of transportation beyond growth are overwhelming. We need policymakers to make use of them.

Cities like Vienna have implemented well-connected public transit, and reduced fare for annual mobility passes to make public transport affordable. We can also redistribute current car infrastructure to work better for biking and people with disabilities, as the Netherlands has done, or adopt car-free zones, a solution implemented by hundreds of cities. These are just a few examples of steps every city can take today to make cars both undesirable and unnecessary.

Future analyses, like the planned integration of the current transport system model with a broader WILIAM model, will give us better insights into the necessary policies and alignment with action across other sectors. Still, we need to start acting today.

Rather than offsetting our carbon footprint of flying far away, we can explore places accessible by bike or try slow travel. Rather than investing in more high-speed highways, governments can prioritise more connected transit systems and accessible public services. Adopting resource use reduction targets could also help align action on sustainable mobility with a degrowth future.

Ultimately, a simpler transport system that efficiently meets peoples needs will also be much easier to decarbonise.

Sony and Honda Sign Joint Venture Agreement to Establish New Company, “Sony Honda Mobility Inc.”, to Engage in Mobility Business

Jun 17, 2022 | Business

Sony Group Corporation (“Sony”) and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (“Honda”) announced today that they have signed a joint venture agreement to establish a new company to engage in the sale of high-value-added electric vehicles (EVs) and provide services for mobility. Today’s announcement is the furtherance and result of discussion of a strategic alliance in the mobility field between the parties as announced in the joint press release entitled “Sony and Honda Sign Memorandum of Understanding for Strategic Alliance in Mobility Field” on March 4, 2022.

The new company will aim to bring together Honda’s cutting-edge environmental and safety technologies, mobility development capabilities, vehicle body manufacturing technology and after-sales service management experience, with Sony’s expertise in the development and application of imaging, sensing, telecommunication, network and entertainment technologies, to realize a new generation of mobility and services for mobility that are closely aligned with users and the environment, and continue to evolve going forward.

Sony and Honda plan to establish the new company within 2022 and to begin the sale of EVs and provision of services for mobility in 2025. The establishment of the new company and the start of business are subject to relevant regulatory approvals.

New Company Overview (Planned)
Company name: Sony Honda Mobility Inc.
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Capital: 10 billion yen
Investment ratio: Sony Group Corporation 50%, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. 50%
Members of the board:
Yasuhide Mizuno, Representative Director, Chairman and CEO
Izumi Kawanishi, Representative Director, President and COO　
Shugo Yamaguchi, Director and Deputy President
Kojiro Okabe, Director and Executive Vice President
Manabu Ozawa, Director (Honda Motor Co., Ltd.)
Naoya Horii, Director (Sony Group Corporation)

Comment from Kenichiro Yoshida, Representative Corporate Executive Officer, Chairman, President and CEO, Sony Group Corporation

“Based on our vision to ‘make the mobility space an emotional one,’ Sony’s initiatives in the mobility business are centered around the three areas of safety, entertainment and adaptability. As we continue our learnings in these areas, we are excited to have met a partner, Honda, with extensive global achievements and knowledge, and to sign the joint venture agreement between the two companies. Going forward, we aim to contribute to the evolution of mobility by combining Honda’s cutting-edge environmental and safety technologies, mobility development capabilities, vehicle body manufacturing technology and after-sales service management experience, with our expertise in imaging, sensing, telecommunication, network and entertainment technologies.”

Comment from Toshihiro Mibe, Director, President, Representative Executive Officer and CEO, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

“Honda continues to take on new challenges in the environmental, safety, and other advanced fields in order to be a driving force for social change through mobility, and ‘become the power that supports people around the world who are trying to do things based on their own initiative’. We are very pleased to have signed a joint venture agreement with Sony, which has strengths in advanced digital technology, and shares our desire to take on new challenges. Since its announcement in March, many people have expressed their expectations for this joint venture. At the new company, we will strive to create new value ​​through the fusion brought about by the combination of our different industries, so please look forward to future developments.”

Comment from Yasuhide Mizuno, Representative Director, Chairman and CEO of Sony Honda Mobility Inc. (Planned) and Senior Managing Officer of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

“We are very pleased to sign this joint venture agreement, which represents the start line from which we embark on the major challenge of revolutionizing mobility and creating new value. We plan to fully leverage the technological assets the two companies possess in different fields, such as Sony’s sensing technology and Honda’s original mobility development capabilities, to realize mobility and services that inspire and excite our customers. By bringing together the expertise of both companies, we aim to lead the way in a new era.”

Comment from Izumi Kawanishi, Representative Director, President and COO of Sony Honda Mobility Inc. (Planned) and Executive Vice President of Sony Group Corporation

“I am very pleased to have reached this day, which represents a major milestone in realizing the initiatives we have been working on until now with the aim of contributing to the evolution of mobility. By combining the many strengths of Sony and Honda, we intend to accelerate development and lead the evolution of mobility by realizing mobility as an emotional space rooted in safety and security, and the related services.”






Topic: Press release summary

MTech Mobility Moves Global Headquarters to Jupiter, Florida

Apr 4, 2022 | Business

 MTech Mobility, a leading global provider of mobility products and services, has moved its global headquarters to Jupiter, Florida. The company is investing more than $6 million to establish a state-of-the-art center at the 35,000-square-foot facility.

“We are excited to announce our new headquarters in Jupiter, Florida, to support our unprecedented growth in helping companies deploy, support and manage mobile and IT devices used for employee productivity gains, operational efficiency and improved customer engagement,” said Tony Fernandez, CEO of MTech Mobility. The company expects to create more than 100 new jobs in 2022 and more than 200 new jobs over the next 24 months.

MTech’s new headquarters at 15827 Guild Court will accommodate expanding demand for MTech’s products and services in North America and beyond.

“Increased capacity to better serve our customers and partners was the key driver in identifying a new headquarters location,” said Anthony Fernandez, Chief Operating Officer for MTech. “The facility was designed as a true collaboration center that offers the highest level of quality and security while offering employees a fun and flexible work environment.”

MTech, which outgrew its most recent headquarters in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, chose the Jupiter area for its hub of life science, aerospace, warehousing and manufacturing industries. “Especially with our explosive growth in serving the telehealth industry, we require a skilled bioscience and high-tech workforce and access to academic institutions,” said CEO Tony Fernandez.

The move is a homecoming for MTech, which was founded in Jupiter as a repair center in 2012. In 10 short years the company expanded to operate facilities in Norcross, Georgia; Shenzhen, China; Hong Kong; and Wexford, Ireland.

About MTech Mobility

MTech Mobility is a global leader in providing comprehensive managed and repair services for any device, operating system or use case. Offering the industry’s most robust set of mobility and IT services for the enterprise, the company specializes in device preparation and deployment, 7x24x365 multilingual help-desk support, advanced exchange and warranty management, in and out of warranty repair services, telecom expense management services, and more. For more information, please visit https://www.mtechmobility.com.

MTech Mobility

Janelle Fernandez

(561) 222 5170

https://www.mtechmobility.com

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