What does future mobility look like? Key takeaways from InnoTrans 2022
The future of mobility was on everyone’s lips at InnoTrans this year. After four long years of waiting, around 140,000 visitors from more than 131 countries, and 2,834 exhibitors from 56 countries came to the world’s leading trade fair of transport technology. Shedding light on what will be on the rail and road tomorrow, the show provided an inspiring venue to explore the entire product and service diversity of the mobility industry. But what had actually changed since last time and what was new?
Mobility is turning smart
Comparing InnoTrans 2022 to InnoTrans 2018 it was clear that the solutions that were presented this year are way smarter than those we were excited about last time. Door-to-Door mobility, personalised services, smart apps, and services for disabled people are today not only a visionary idea or prototypes but, in many cases, real products enabling public transport operators provide seamless traveling experience to all the passengers.
To me smart mobility also means higher level of integration. There has been a huge shift from separate software solutions or islands into integrated transport ecosystems. For example, when it comes to on-board solutions for trains, you can hardly never talk about individual solutions anymore without bringing also different levels of train-to-ground and wayside solutions into the discussion. Trains are not anymore “islands that move around”, instead, there are connected to larger transport systems in real time to share data between vehicles, stations, and control centres.
Software empowers smooth travelling
In the railway industry software solutions play a crucial role on how the passengers can reach the services that transport operators are providing to them. Software is involved when everything runs smoothly, trains are on time, and the accurate passenger information is provided to passengers at stations, platforms and stops as well as on moving trains. Software has its role to play also when something goes wrong, like during service disruptions or snowstorm. In cases like these, passengers need to be able to trust that they get guidance at every step of their journey – to the right direction, the right platform, and the right vehicle, and at the right time. This is what your software should help you do in real-time.
Safety brings passengers back
During InnoTrans I was using the public transportation in Berlin daily, and I was happy to see how people have found their way back to the public transport after the pandemic years. While public transportation provides a very convenient way to move easily around in big cities like Berlin, safety is another key aspect that needs to be ensured to reach high levels of ridership. Besides traditional video security solutions, there is a growing need for integrated mobility solutions that can provide control centres real-time access to live mobile video. And whether the question is about fixed operational environments or mobility solutions, it is clear that cybersecurity always is an integral part of the conversation!
Building future mobility is our common goal
The best part of InnoTrans was naturally all the meetings and interesting discussions I had with so many people from different companies and positions within the public transport Industry. It was such a pleasure to meet so many customers and partners from around the world – not forgetting my dear colleagues! With some of you, this was our first face-to-face meeting in two years – even though it felt like we had seen each other a few weeks or months ago.
I’m sure you all know that sometimes life offers you surprises and some moments you know you will remember forever. I experienced one of those moments at InnoTrans during my last day at the show. A visitor came to our stand, and I asked if there was something I could help him with. He told me that he is looking for more information about passenger information solutions and if I could present what Teleste is offering. After a short discussion about our role in the public transport industry he thanked me and gave his business card to me saying that he is from Ukrainian Railways looking for solutions to rebuild his country – something not for today but for the future. I said that if there is anything where we can help, we are here to offer our support. He looked away and there was a long quiet moment. Then he thanked me and said how he appreciates all the support Finland has given for Ukraine, and he left. I took a deep breath and thought of him and all the construction work that lies ahead to build the future of mobility in Ukraine. I hope that our paths will cross again someday.
Pirkko Korpi
Pirkko Korpi
I’m Director of Marketing and Business Development for Teleste’s Video Security and Information business unit. I have a passion for continuous improvement of business processes and collaboration across boundaries. See my LinkedIn for more information.
