Skip to main content

iMobility Challenge showcases intelligent vehicles at ITS congress in Helsinki

The iMobility Challenge presented intelligent vehicle systems to policy makers, ITS professionals and the general public in Helsinki during the European ITS Congress. The highlight of the day was the participation of the Formula One driver, Valtteri Bottas, in an eco-driving competition. The competition evaluated a short drive in Helsinki by the F1 driver giving him a ‘smart’ driving score, thanks to an on-board device monitoring the energy-efficiency of his driving style. Visitors then had the chance to
June 17, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
The iMobility Challenge presented intelligent vehicle systems to policy makers, ITS professionals and the general public in Helsinki during the 438 European ITS Congress. The highlight of the day was the participation of the Formula One driver, Valtteri Bottas, in an eco-driving competition.

The competition evaluated a short drive in Helsinki by the F1 driver giving him a ‘smart’ driving score, thanks to an on-board device monitoring the energy-efficiency of his driving style. Visitors then had the chance to take the same drive and compare their score to Bottas’ performance, while learning key techniques for driving in a more energy efficient manner.

Bottas said: “The road is not the race track, so when I drive in the city I aim to drive in a safe and efficient manner. It is great that modern technologies help drivers understand how their driving style affects their energy consumption, and make responsible driving fun.”

Of the event, FIA president Jean Todt said: “Innovative vehicle technologies, such as car connectivity, mark the start of a new era in mobility that will provide safer, greener and smarter driving experiences. I am happy that the FIA is coordinating the iMobility Challenge, a project which demonstrates a more intelligent vision for our daily mobility.”

Zoran Stančič, deputy director general of the 1690 European Commission’s DG Connect said: “Digital technologies are key enablers for taking the next steps in realising truly cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems which connect vehicles and infrastructure so that they can communicate continuously. This will help cars to find the best routes, to avoid congestion and even to prevent collisions. Awareness campaigns are very useful and powerful tools to support the large-scale deployment of digital systems for safe, efficient and sustainable mobility. iMobility Challenge events are a great platform for this purpose."

Other test rides and demonstrations included autonomous braking by 609 Volvo, self-parking cars by Citroën and 278 Ford, 838 Nissan and 278 Ford electric cars and additional driver monitoring tools demonstrated by Helpten and Driveco.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • FIA urges more rigorous vehicle emissions testing
    September 28, 2015
    In light of the VW emissions testing scandal, FIA Region I continues to urge the introduction of a more rigorous testing procedure for vehicle emissions and fuel consumption in the EU. Although vehicles are passing the tests, a growing body of evidence shows that virtually no vehicle, whether diesel or petrol, can comply with emissions levels achieved in testing when in real-world settings. The FIA and its members have consistently supported the introduction of a robust test cycle and real driving emiss
  • EU sets out to increase surveillance of vehicle type approval
    January 28, 2016
    In the wake of the VW emissions scandal in late 2015, the European Commission has published its proposed revision of vehicle type approval legislation. In a clear effort towards reform, the Commission calls for market surveillance for vehicles after their release. The proposal increases the oversight of type approval authorities and introduces regular checks from independent market surveillance authorities.
  • Mobility technology ‘creates opportunities and challenges’ for cutting emissions
    July 1, 2016
    A new study by the Institute for Transport Studies (ITS) at the University of Leeds, commissioned by the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) finds that better coordination and connectivity between vehicles and infrastructure is likely to improve energy efficiency, as well as potentially make road transport safer and quicker. The LowCVP says that the combination of connectivity, automation plus shared vehicle ownership and use has the potential to m
  • UK Autodrive consortium to develop driverless cars
    December 9, 2014
    An Arup-led consortium, UK Autodrive, has won the UK Government’s US$15.6 million ‘Introducing Driverless Cars’ competition. Other members of the consortium are Milton Keynes Council, Coventry Council, Jaguar Land Rover, Ford Motor Company, Tata Motors European Technical Centre, RDM Group, MIRA, Oxbotica, AXA, international law firm Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co, the Transport Systems Catapult, the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and the Open University. The aim of the project is to establis