Mercedes-Benz’s showing at this year’s Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona being held from 27 February to 2 March is all about CASE: “Connected”, “Autonomous”, “Shared & Service” and “Electric Drive”. Under the umbrella of the cross-Daimler digitisation strategy, the inventor of automobile is showcasing products, initiatives and the latest innovations from its research and development activities.

Daimler is also driving digital transformation at the Mobile World Congress with DigitalLife@Daimler: next to the show stand the DigitalLife Café offers an open platform for collective dialogue. One of the real highlights at the MWC is the Live Talks with experts from various Daimler AG business units.

Sascha Pallenberg, one of the very first tech bloggers, hosts the Inspiration Talks that will take place three times daily and focus on digital services, trends and the culture of innovation. “For us, digitisation is an important instrument for shaping the future of mobility. The Mobile World Congress provides a powerful international platform for dialogue with industrial experts from the worlds of both hardware and software. With its thrilling atmosphere of innovation, the MWC inspires us to keep shaping the future of mobility together with the digital avant-garde,” emphasises Wilko Andreas Stark, Head of Daimler Strategy & Mercedes-Benz Cars Product Strategy and Planning.

Hackathon participants from the DigitalLife Campus series are also getting involved. The ten coders of the current Hack-on-Bus Tour will present their results. This forms the final of the DigitalLife Campus 2016 – an initiative that is accompanying Daimler on its journey towards digital transformation with various unconventional formats. The participants from the “DigitalLife Campus” hackathon series will also show what they have achieved on the drive from Stuttgart to Barcelona in their specially equipped tour bus in response to the challenge they were set: programming a driverless RoboCab made from Lego components. The tour bus set off from Stuttgart towards Barcelona on Saturday with the international team of participants on board.

Mercedes-Benz is demonstrating the virtual reality experience at the MWC with the help of two examples. Firstly, visitors can experience the drive technology, design and connectivity features of the Concept EQ show car up close with the help of VR goggles. And secondly, the complete digital configuration of a production vehicle provides customers with a realistic means of familiarising themselves with their dream vehicle in detail long before they actually buy it. Interaction icons make it easy to modify details of the specification – such as the wheels, paint finish or interior colour scheme. A prototype version of the VR installation is already in use in Germany and Great Britain.

In addition, Mercedes-Benz will be demonstrating the next steps on the road to developing the cognitive car, while “Fit&Healthy” will provide a vision of how society’s growing health consciousness can be intelligently combined with future mobility. Mercedes me also has an important role to play at the show. Comprehensive smartphone integration? Checking information such as the fuel level? No problem at all with ‘Mercedes me’- connect. Smartphones are able to double as a door opener – at any time. As many as four virtual vehicle keys can be activated from a smartphone.

The mobility brands moovel, mytaxi and car2go are also at the show. With 2.2 million customers at 26 locations, car2go is the global market leader in the field of flexible car sharing. Vehicles are located, booked and paid for solely by means of a smartphone.

Also featuring at the MWC is the mytaxi taxi hailing app, the first app in the world to allow a direct link to be established between passenger and taxi driver with a simple tap on the smartphone. With over 10 million downloads worldwide and 100,000 registered taxi drivers, it is the leading taxi hailing app in Europe and is currently available in over 50 cities in ten European countries.

The aim of moovel is to allow people access to urban mobility anytime and anywhere. In Germany, moovel is the world’s first app that can be used to search for, book and pay for a host of mobility services. In the USA, moovel transit is the leading provider of mobile ticketing solutions for transport operators. A ticket is sold via moovel apps every two seconds.

• Digitization as a control lever for the future of mobility

Only five years ago, the autonomous vehicle future seemed like a distant vision. This year at CES, the “frenzy” over autonomous vehicles stole the show with dozens of live demos, partnerships, and product announcements. In fact, 13 of the world’s 14 largest automakers have announced plans to bring autonomous vehicles to market, and 12 of the world’s 14 largest technology companies have announced plans to build technologies to support and operate autonomous vehicles.

This sudden interest in autonomous driving has bid up the “going rate” for autonomous driving talent to, at least in one case,  $10 million per person (Harvard, MIT, CMU, and Stanford students take note!). Clearly, many large companies are investing heavily in autonomous driving technology because they see that autonomous cars have the ability to drastically change the auto industry, and they see the enormous cultural change that the presence of AVs could create. If we spend more time in the car and have more time there to do stuff … they want to be there.

As investors we have been most interested in watching how various stakeholders are shaping their strategies for competing in this market. For example, will automakers build their own autonomous technology, rely on partners, or both? Do automakers think they will continue selling autonomous vehicles to consumers or only to ride-sharing services? Will ride-sharing services companies want to move into other areas of the industry including building autonomous technologies?

Here is our view of the current state of the autonomous vehicle value chain. The three high-level layers of the autonomous vehicle market are

• Service providers (e.g., ride-hailing, ride-sharing, rentals)
• Technology providers (both hardware and software)
• Automobile manufacturing

We see a significant number of companies sitting in between layers – such as Tesla building an autonomous driving system as well as being a car manufacturer – and we also see companies that have historically operated in one area making large investments of capital or time in other layers in order extend into other areas of the value chain. An example of this is ReachNow, BMW’s rental and ride hailing service, which is, among other things, a hedge against being cut out of a possible future where ride hailing vs. car owning is the norm.

Each of these companies sees an opportunity to capture a larger portion of the end-state autonomous vehicle value chain for itself, and they are positioning themselves accordingly.

In addition to investing or acquiring companies or talent, companies have also begun forming partnerships to ensure they do not get cut out of valuable portions of the autonomous vehicle market or caught with single source suppliers for key technologies.

For example, companies have realized that detailed maps might (though it is still under debate) be one of the most critical inputs to self-driving cars for determining whether the car is seeing the environment or another vehicle, person, or object in its environment. This led to several big moves in developing in-house maps and/or acquiring access to other sets of mapping data. For example, in August of 2015, a consortium of automakers bought Here maps for $3 billion; in July of 2016, Uber announced a $500 million plan to map the world’s roads; and in December of 2016, Mobileye announced a partnership with Here’s owners to share their mapping data. Some other interesting takeaways we see from looking across the autonomous vehicle landscape are:

The companies working with the major technology providers are also developing their own homegrown systems. For example, while Volvo is providing Uber with vehicles for its well-publicized Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and Arizona self-driving tests, the car maker is developing its own autonomous systems as well through its Drive Me research project.

We have already seen some high-profile ‘breakups’ in the autonomous vehicle space. After Tesla’s crash, Tesla and Mobileye pointed fingers over who fired who (and whose technology led to a fatal crash), and Baidu and BMW called off their joint work citing different development paces and ideas about research. We will likely see more partnering companies go their separate ways over differences in tech and/or business philosophies.

Most of the major automakers have aligned themselves with a ride-hailing service – either via investment in the case of Toyota-Uber or GM-Lyft or by building servies in house or making a full acquisition. These moves have been interesting because the strength of Uber or Lyft’s driver network becomes less relevant in an autonomous, ride-hailing future. When you can put cars on the road without a person at the wheel, different elements become more important levers of success – namely the ability to manufacture, finance, and maintain cars. This could give automakers a head start later in the game, so to speak. However, success in ride hailing is also dependent on consumer penetration, so companies like Uber and Lyft might have their own leverage over the automaker latecomers.

While we watch the moves that software companies and automotive companies are making in the autonomous vehicle space, we are also tracking what regulators, drivers, and consumers are thinking and saying about autonomous vehicles.

To date, we have been impressed with how proactive federal, state, and local governments have been in their support of autonomous driving technology. Regulators and planners at multiple levels appear to have bought into the potential promise of fewer accidents, less congestion, more productive time for citizens and freed up space now devoted to parking lots in cities. But they are treading carefully, encouraging companies to experiment in safe, controlled ways. When the U.S. NHTSA investigated the fatal crash involving Tesla’s Autopilot, it found that, while it failed in that instance, Autopilot had decreased the number of crashes by 40 percent since its introduction.

However, as this technology becomes mainstream and moves from high-end cars to widespread adoption among ride-hailing and trucking companies, there could be massive disruption to the way the workforce is structured in many different places around the country. A 2015 NPR review of Census data shows that truck driving is the most common job in nearly every U.S. state. Autonomous trucks will have a massive impact on the trucking industry.

As more startups and large companies begin public demonstrations and public releases of their products, they must find the right ways to introduce these technologies for both public safety and public perception. “Drive fast and break things” will not be the right approach to releasing autonomous vehicles, and companies need to be thoughtful about the best way to introduce these technologies.

As investors (and eager consumers and citizens) we are watching how the AV market is evolving and looking for opportunities. The innovations over the last five years happened twice as fast as expected, so imagine where we could be in another five – or maybe just two and a half!

This opinion piece was written by S. Somasegar and Daniel Li and was published in VentureBeat. S. Somasegar is Managing Director at Madrona Venture Group. You can follow him @ssomasegar. Daniel Li is Senior Associate at Madrona Venture Group. You can follow him @danielxli.

• Tests with autonomous vehicles are announced every day. Photo: Uber.

All change! Mobility is changing rapidly. Mobility solutions are getting more personalised. Apps and different providers are making the mobility landscape more individualised. Yet the players of tomorrow won’t be today’s transport providers. Who drives tomorrow’s mobility? Registration for this conference is now open!

Tomorrow’s mobility will be more tailormade. Even before autonomous vehicles appear on our streets, Taxi and For Hire Vehicles, Transportation Network Companies (TNC’s), public transport operators, coach companies and bike and carsharing systems will each fill in part of the mobility puzzle. And how close are we to that autonomous future? Come to Brussels and find out!

Who’s going to do what? Which operator or company is going to take the lead? What will be the new business models? And what will be the role of governments and regulators –local ones, the ones on state level, national institutions or even international ones like the EU? Will mega-cities have a say? Let us provide you with the answers!

The international two-day annual Taxi & Mobility Update – unique in this area, straddling various forms of transport – gives an in-depth overview of the mobility industry and provides (smart) answers to solving the mobility puzzle. More like an international masterclass, this event unites various players from a number of different industries. We traditionally provide ample opportunities for networking.

After our very topical keynote speakers (soon to be revealed) this time we have planned exciting sessions on:

• The future (and drivers) of urban mobility: quo vadis public transport?
• Mobility on Demand (MOD) and Mobility as a Service (MaaS): who’s in the driving seat?
• New business models: the taxi and FHV industry’s fightback
• The latest on autonomous vehicles: what’s the taxi industry’s role?
• Regulatory changes on various levels: EU, regional and local
• International consolidation: why buy a cab or FHV-company?
• Technological change: accessible vehicles, meters and IT-solutions
• Electromobility: plug-in or hydrogen?
• International challenges – local responses. Why?

In the heart of Europe, specialists from all over the world will provide our target-audience (taxi and FHV-operators, public transport specialists, TNC’s, regulators, mobility associations, academics, consultants, politicians and suppliers to the mobility industry) with answers to solving the mobility puzzle: Who’s in the driving seat?

Join us in Brussels on May 4 and 5! Follow us on www.taxiintelligence.com and www.mobilityintell.com and register here for Taxi & Mobility Update 2017: http://www.mobilityintell.com/update-2017/

Maven, General Motors’ personal mobility brand, is working with the City of Los Angeles to evolve mobility and provide easier, more sustainable and more convenient options for ‘Angelenos’ to navigate the city. Maven’s seamless car-sharing application complements Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s vision to leverage multi-modal transportation solutions to advance mobility and encourage more electric vehicles in the market. The collaboration is expected to increase opportunities in Los Angeles neighborhoods, from reducing mobility barriers to exposing all communities to transportation electrification.

Maven City car sharing in Los Angeles has seen an average of 56 percent member growth month-over-month since launching in October 2016, and Maven will leverage this existing platform as well as in-city infrastructure, fleet management capabilities and operational insights to help advance the City of Los Angeles’ Sustainable City pLAn. Maven members will play an integral role in informing the co-creation process and will provide valuable insights for future infrastructure and transportation developments.

The Chevrolet Bolt EV, with an EPA-estimated range of 238 miles, has launched in Los Angeles in Maven City car sharing and the Lyft Express Drive program. Maven supplies vehicles for Lyft’s Express Drive program, providing Lyft drivers with affordable access to weekly rentals of GM vehicles in select cities. By adding the Bolt EV, Maven could allow for up to 250,000 all-electric miles driven per month across all of its offerings. Maven also plans to offer the Bolt EV in San Francisco and San Diego.

To support the introduction of the Bolt EV to the Maven platform, the team is working with infrastructure providers on building a more effective, robust EV charging network. Drivers using the Bolt EVs, for example, will have access to free charging for a limited time via the entire EVgo Freedom Station network throughout California. Maven is also working with each of California’s investor-owned utilities, as well as Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, on infrastructure projects that can help encourage the use of EVs in the sharing economy.

Maven plans to collaborate with additional metropolitan cities to advance the development of future applications, including a fully electric autonomous network of vehicles tied to mass transportation stations.

Maven is the only program to offer the Bolt EV for both car-sharing and ridesharing applications providing immediate solutions for real-world mobility issues. The Bolt EV is uniquely suited for vehicle sharing. The compact hatchback seats five with room for cargo storage, and the flat floor facilitates easy entry and egress. The smooth, quiet electric propulsion is ideal for dense urban areas.

Maven City car sharing and the Bolt EV provide a pathway to autonomous vehicle deployment. The foundation for a shared electric and autonomous network linked to other mass transportation options can be leveraged by cities to provide unique mobility solutions.

In 13 months, Maven has launched three products and has grown to 17 cities in the U.S. and Canada: Ann Arbor, Michigan; Atlanta; Baltimore; Boston; Chicago; Denver; Detroit; Los Angeles; Jersey City, New Jersey; Nashville, Tennessee; New York City; Orlando, Florida; Phoenix; San Diego; San

Francisco; Washington, D.C.; and Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

* Maven has more than 24,000 members who have made more than 27,500 reservations.

* Maven members have traveled more than 78 million miles.

* The average Maven City trip is 121 miles and lasts more than 12 hours.

* The Lyft Express Drive program with Maven in Los Angeles is currently the largest in the nation.

Pricing is simple and transparent, and includes insurance and fuel. A gas card is provided, and users are asked to return the vehicle with at least one-quarter tank of fuel to avoid an additional charge.

• Maven uses the Bolt EV in car-sharing and the Lyft Express Drive-programme.

IRU is launching a call for candidates for the IRU City Trophy, Bus Excellence and Coach Tourism Innovation awards 2017. The objective of these awards is to highlight cities and passenger transport companies that promote a greater use of buses and coaches while respecting the Smart Move values of affordability, safety, environmental performance, efficiency and user-friendliness.

Yves Mannaerts, IRU Vice President and President of the IRU Passenger Transport Council (CTP) said, “Buses and coaches are the backbone of the sustainable public mobility chain. We created these awards to showcase the best within our sector, demonstrating the commitment of the bus and coach industry and pioneer authorities to meet the increasing demand for sustainable passenger transport, while making bus and coach services even more attractive, safer and greener.”

Municipal authorities across the globe that implemented coach friendly policies recognising the value of visitors discovering their city by coach are invited to apply for the. IRU City Trophy Award 2017.

Bus and coach companies, active in scheduled transport, whose focus is to increase their number of passengers by offering an outstanding service to customers can compete for the IRU Bus Excellence Award 2017.

Companies active in group tourism by coach who see the results of their innovative efforts in attracting more tourists to use their service are invited to apply for the IRU Coach Tourism Innovation Award 2017.

The international juries will award those candidates who represent the very best of what the sector has achieved and will promote the winners as a model to follow by industry and policy partners. Detailed information on the competition rules and submissions can be found here: http://www.busandcoach.travel/en/smart_policies/smart_awards/winners/

• IRU Smart Move Awards for bus and coach: call for candidates.

For the Avis Budget Group, strong overseas returns aren’t offsetting weakness in the Americas, writes Andrew Sheivachman for specialist travel publication Skift. Through its partnerships with services like Uber and Didi, it’s looking for another way to make money with its fleet when rental demand flags. After a quarter of lukewarm results, Avis Budget Group is hopeful that continuing to diversify its offerings outside traditional car rentals will pay off in 2017.

Avis stock dropped more than 13 percent after announcing that its rental volume had dipped one percent in the Americas during the fourth quarter of 2016 and the company had missed its revenue forecast by about $80 million. It blamed weak demand around the holidays and following the U.S. election for most of its woes, since overseas demand and performance remained strong. The company is betting that its investment in a new mobile app and partnerships with ridesharing services around the world will help it find other routes to profitability as demand decreases for car rentals in many markets.

“We are developing our own mobility capabilities, including some technology that may be patentable, and leveraging the technology and capabilities of others,” said Avis Budget Group CEO Larry De Shon. “We’re also looking at carefully considered partnerships with other companies that occupy a unique and meaningful position in the evolving mobility landscape.

“For instance, in November we announced a global strategic partnership with Didi, China’s and the world’s largest mobile transportation platform, with over 300 million registered users. We see this as a significant opportunity to capitalize on substantial growth of outbound travel from China. As an example, within the first 10 days of launch, there were already over 200,000 views of our online interface with Didi.

Avis is testing its partnership with Uber in London, providing Uber drivers with Zipcar vehicles on an hourly basis. It’s a way for the company to earn more with their Zipcar fleet when traditional customers aren’t using them. De Shon said the company’s weak revenue was just a blip on the radar and he remains optimistic for 2017, despite headwinds faced by both Avis Budget Group and the car rental industry at large. He expects Avis Budget Group’s total revenue to increase by two or three percent this year.

“The pricing is still not there yet, but as demand improves and starts to soak up the fleet, hopefully that will present ourselves with some opportunities to start putting some yielding opportunities in place,” said De Shon. “Last year we were down five percent, and then we had a big change into the second quarter.

“And although we’ll be down in the first quarter this year, we’re hoping for another opportunity to have a change in our price per day as we turn into the second quarter as well. So, it really will depend on how well the fleets really kind of get back in line. Plus a later Easter this year will also help the second quarter a little bit.”

• Avis strengthens ties with Uber and Didi to offset losses in the Americas.