Mediaroom

Opportunities, challenges, but also problems concerning the future of mobility were discussed by industry, academia and institutions at the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) World Congress, held in Hamburg from 11 to 15 October.  

The event focused on the new technological developments that will shape the transport sector in the coming years, and how intelligent and green mobility can contribute to sustainable growth and a better environment for all citizens.   

Over 13,000 attendees participated in Hamburg to exchange with 198 exhibitors, and to take part in the 210 sessions planned within the High-Level and Technical Programme with speakers from all over the world.  

Automated & Connected Driving was among the main topics of the five-day events, together with all its implications. Improvements to artificial intelligence, sensors, data processing, communications, mapping and location technologies have catalysed the development of highly automated and highly connected vehicles. This promises gains in safety, air quality, network management and traveller information services. But there is still work to do to support widespread deployment. 

“At the ITS Congress, the automotive industry addressed many of the most important aspects regarding the future of mobility, including the management of and access to the huge amount data which is generated – a key aspect of cooperative, connected and automated mobility,” reported David Storer, CLEPA Director for Research, Innovation and New Mobility, after attending the event.  

‘Connecting vehicles to each other and to the infrastructure represents one of the most important advances for the mobility and transport systems of the future, and many issues related to data exchange need to be addressed with immediate effect including which data needs to be shared, how to acquire and transfer them in a safe and cyber-secure manner, and while also answering fundamental questions regarding ownership and access,” commented Dr. Storer.   

“Some companies are now basing their business model on the collection, use and interpretation of this data. So open, in-depth discussions on this topic, such as those initiated at the recent ITS Congress in Hamburg, will be crucial for the future success of mobility and transportation in Europe.”