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

  • The future of in-vehicle navigation systems
    February 3, 2012
    TRL's Alan Stevens looks at the evolution and future prospects of in-vehicle navigation devices. Human-Machine Interaction (HMI) plays a crucial role in the safety of vehicles on our roads. Until we achieve full automation (and that's a debatable prospect anyway) a driver's interaction with the vehicle - all the controls, information and systems - holds a pivotal role in safe driving.
  • Asecap meeting tackles tolling’s future challenges
    March 3, 2017
    Carole Défossé, communication & information manager at Asecap, previews the association’s forthcoming annual meeting. With 72% of Europeans moving by car and 60% of freight being transported by trucks, road infrastructures are central to Europe’s mobility and toll roads form a key part of those networks.
  • Making cars safer for vulnerable road users
    June 2, 2016
    Richard Cuerden considers measures to improve the safety of vulnerable road users. The competitive nature of the car market has seen an increase in protection for those travelling inside the vehicle and this is reflected in the casualty statistics -but the same does not apply to those outside the vehicle. And with current societal trends such as ageing populations, an increasing number of pedestrians and cyclists encouraged by environmental policies, this is an area that authorities such as the European Uni
  • PTV and Econolite on road to future-proof solutions
    September 20, 2022
    Transportation simulation software specialist PTV Group and North American traffic management provider Econolite are working together to develop new mobility solutions globally. Econolite CEO Abbas Mohaddes and PTV CEO Christian Haas sat down with Daily News to talk about the challenges and opportunities they face…