Alex - Future Mobility Finland

When Europe discovered Finnish mobility innovation…

The European Startup Prize for Mobility (EUSP) doesn’t seem to get enough of Finland these days. The Prize brings together EU institutions, multinational companies, national authorities, and philanthropists to jointly scout, rank, and boost Europe’s most promising clean mobility startups. In its 5th edition, the Prize recognized Finnish Vapaus among its Gold winners, a second time for Finland, this time for the innovative bike company.

European Startup Prize 5th edition Final Ceremony from Sobovitz Dan on Vimeo.

The winning startups were awarded generously: the Prize included major visibility and media coverage, access to an acceleration programme, mentoring, investment and partnership opportunities, and *drum roll* an European Tour to showcase the winning solution.

Shortly after the Award Ceremony in the European Parliament in Brussels, the winning startups travelled to Lisbon, Lucerne, and Helsinki. As the EUSP was one of Slush 2023 partners, the delegation came to present the individual contributions of the winning startups, as well as that of the entire Prize’s ecosystem. They also came to discover what Finland has to offer when it comes to clean mobility innovation (spoiler alert: a lot).

EUSP event video from Sobovitz Dan on Vimeo.

On the margins of Slush, Vapaus and other winners even recorded in a cosy Helsinki studio the ‘What were they thinking?’ podcast, featuring the stories of the winning startups from all across Europe. Episode 1 : Mikko 🇫🇮 • Podcast • What were they thinking? (podcastics.com)

What’s next? EUSP is now building its ecosystem for the upcoming 6th edition launching in November in Monaco under the patronage of Prince Albert II. It means, companies and possible sponsors who wish to take part in this fast-paced innovation ecosystem, should hurry and ask to join. Startups who wish to apply should wait only a few more months as registration will open on November 13th 2024. The final ceremony and winners will be announced early 2025. “For Vapaus, the journey has been remarkable. I’ve always known we were onto something special, but facing such strong competition, I have to admit, I had my doubts,” says Mikko Ampuja, the founder of Vapaus. Despite these doubts, Vapaus emerged victorious, securing a gold award alongside three other winners (RailWai, Stellar, and C2A Security) after three rounds of evaluations. “Winning this competition has opened several doors for us in the European market. It serves as a seal of quality and approval. Our brand may not yet be a household name, but mentioning our EUSP gold win instantly grabs the attention of customers, investors, and the media,” continues Mikko.

Testimonial: Vapaus – Top 10 winner 2023 from Sobovitz Dan on Vimeo.

Dan Sobovitz, Managing Director of the European Startup Prize for Mobility, explains: “The EUSP was created to identify, rank, and boost Europe’s most promising clean mobility startups from all over Europe. Last year, we evaluated a record of over 700 startup applications using a rigorous methodology developed by the Boston Consulting Group and Via ID. Applicants were assessed by a cohort of independent evaluators on their written applications and the Top 50 were then interviewed by a professional jury.

More importantly, the Prize winners and partners are already embarking into synergies which will boost such innovation which is so needed. That’s what the Prize is all about”. The winners indeed enjoy the full acceleration programme but even for those who don’t necessarily win, applying to the Prize puts them on the radar of all the partners for potential collaboration!

Stay updated by following the EUSP on LinkedIn, Facebook, or X. Vapaus from Finland has clinched the Gold at EUSP 2023. Next year, it could be you!

Electrifying the Grid: How VIRTA Transforms Electric Cars into Virtual Power Plants

Virta, a frontrunner in electric vehicle charging platforms, collaborates with Business Finland, benefitting from innovation funding and loans for its R&D efforts. Now entering a phase of swift international growth, Virta’s latest endeavor aims to integrate EV batteries into the power grid, addressing the surging need for energy flexibility.

Virta’s Grid Innovation: Revolutionizing Energy Balance with EV Charging Networks

Virta is redefining the electricity market’s approach to maintaining balance between production and demand, especially in the face of challenges introduced by the proliferation of variable renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. Traditionally, imbalances were addressed by ramping up or down the output of hydroelectric and thermal power plants, a solution that, while effective, is increasingly seen as cumbersome and less sustainable. Virta’s innovative solution harnesses the power of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, connecting them into a unified demand response reserve. This network is capable of reacting in real-time to disturbances in the grid, ensuring stability and continuity without the need for additional, heavy-duty power plants. By leveraging this technology, Virta supports a more responsive and resilient energy system, tailored to the complexities of modern electricity markets.

Pioneering Sustainable Mobility: Virta’s Bidirectional Charging and Global Vision

Beyond merely offering a sophisticated charging platform, Virta is pioneering the integration of bidirectional charging technology to further bridge the gap between sustainable mobility and energy systems. This approach allows the battery capacity of EVs to be aggregated and utilized as a flexible energy resource, capable of feeding power back into the grid during times of need. Such innovation not only circumvents the slow and capital-intensive process of bringing new power plants online but also aligns with Virta’s mission since its inception in 2013: to expedite the transition to sustainable mobility and energy systems. With ambitions to lead the service platform market in Europe and Southeast Asia, Virta is not just addressing today’s energy challenges but is laying the groundwork for a future where electric transport and energy sustainability are deeply interconnected, driving both profitability and ecological preservation.

Founded in Helsinki in 2013
One of the world’s leading digital EV charging platforms that enables charging point owners, such as large charging networks and retail chains, to manage their charger networks and turn the provision of EV charging services into a business
Employs more than 230 people (January 2024)
Holds the largest number of software patents related to the integration of EV charging and the energy system in the industry globally.
Estimated turnover in 2023 close to EUR 80 million
Average annual growth in turnover (CAGR) 119% between 2014 and 2022
More than 1,000 B2B customers with more than 100,000 charging points in 36 countries (January 2024)
The service allows you to charge your electric car at over 500,000 charging points in more than 60 countries (January/2024)
Key markets and personnel: Finland (headquarters), Nordic countries, DACH (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland), France, UK and Ireland, South-East Asia (Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Australia), Romania (2nd technology unit)

Read the original article about Virta oy on the Business Finland website here

Image is from the same article

Kempower Unveils Innovative Electric Robot Bus for Enhanced Efficiency, Automation, and Sustainability in Operations

The electric robot bus is used to transport goods between Kempower’s two factories in Lahti.
Benefits of the electric robot bus introduction include enhanced production efficiency, emission reductions, reduced storage reliance, optimized processes, highlighting Finland’s electric tech expertise.
The bus was delivered by the Finnish robot vehicle operator Remoted.

Kempower has recently integrated an advanced electric robot bus at their Lahti headquarters and production facility. This autonomous bus is strategically employed for the internal transportation of goods between Kempower’s two manufacturing sites in Lahti. Traditionally, the movement of power modules between these factories has been managed by truck transports. However, this innovative robot bus, supplied by Finnish robotic vehicle specialist Remoted, is set to take over these logistic operations, marking a significant step towards modernizing and streamlining Kempower’s internal transport processes.

Discover the Full Story of Kempower’s Electric Robot Bus on Their Official Website

Image is from the same article

Kempower in brief

We design and manufacture reliable and user-friendly DC fast-charging solutions for electric vehicles. Our vision is to create the world’s most desired EV charging solutions for everyone, everywhere. Our product development and production are based in Finland, with the majority of our materials and components sourced locally. We focus on all areas of e-mobility, from electric cars, trucks, and buses to machines and marine. Our modular and scalable charging system and world-class software are designed by EV drivers for EV drivers, enabling the best user experience for our customers around the world. Kempower is listed in the Nasdaq First North Growth Market Finland. www.kempower.com

Remoted in brief

Remoted is an expert in electric and self-driving vehicles, providing sustainable urban and campus mobility, as well as autonomous logistics solutions. Through our robot vehicle services, we can enhance factory production efficiency and improve safe movement within the factory premises. www.remoted.fi

Pioneering the Industrial Metaverse: Valmet Automotive and Telia’s Revolutionary Project

Valmet Automotive, in collaboration with Telia, has embarked on an innovative pilot project at their Uusikaupunki car plant, leveraging cutting-edge robot technology to create a virtual replica of their Innovation Center. This initiative is part of the broader MURO innovation project, which aims to explore the capabilities of 5G-enabled service robots in industrial settings. By using a lidar scan to map out the plant’s environment, they’ve constructed an immersive metaverse where specialists can interact in real-time, irrespective of their physical location, through VR glasses or a PC screen.

The project marks a significant leap towards location-independent operations within the industrial sector, allowing for more flexible and remote management of engineering, maintenance, repairs, and training. Antti Havola, Strategy Director at Valmet Automotive, envisions this technology radically transforming industry workflows and fostering a new realm of remote collaboration and testing.

Valmet Automotive is set to spearhead this technological evolution, anticipating a 2-3 year timeline from the metaverse’s testing phase to its full-scale implementation. The goal is to incorporate customer projects into the metaverse, positioning Valmet Automotive as a leader in this tech-forward approach to manufacturing and automation.

Additional information:

Mikael Mäki, Manager, Corporate Communications, Valmet Automotive
+358 50 317 4308
mikael.maki@valmet-automotive.com

read the original news from valmet-automotive.com site

Picture is from Telia.fi -site in relation to the news (5G robot dog Frans developed in collaboration with VTT & Telia)

Deloitte Recognizes Awake.AI with the Prestigious Logistics Impact Award – A Case Study in Innovation

Sustainable and Smart Operations in Port and Maritime Logistics

Awake.AI: Leading the Charge for Greener Ports

Deloitte’s Technology Fast 50 in Finland recognizes rapidly growing technology companies, emphasizing sustainability in business. Among the celebrated is Awake.AI, granted the Impact Award for pioneering sustainable solutions in maritime logistics. CEO Karno Tenovuo and Head of Design Jari Ijäs share the journey of Awake.AI, from its roots in developing autonomous ships at Rolls Royce to creating a smart harbor ecosystem with Business Finland’s support. Their software aims to replace outdated, manual processes with AI-driven efficiency, reducing ship idle times and aiming for a significant cut in global shipping emissions by 2030.

Demand for AI-Driven Maritime Efficiency

Currently, the maritime industry’s appetite is strong for solutions that provide real-time operational data to enhance efficiency. Awake.AI’s technology serves as a bridge between ports and logistics operators, allowing shipping companies to optimize turnover and profit by minimizing manual work and fuel consumption. This not only leads to financial gains but also contributes to the broader goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain.

Innovation Through Collaboration and Recognition

Reflecting on their journey, the team at Awake.AI values learning from past experiences, including navigating the challenges posed by the pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and economic fluctuations. Looking ahead, they anticipate launching “Digital port call” in early 2024, viewing current operators and software suppliers as collaborators rather than competitors.

The Deloitte Impact Award underscores the importance of their mission and reinforces their commitment to responsible business practices, with a focus on making a tangible impact on environmental sustainability.

Read the whole article form Awake.ai website

Seaspan Enhances Fleet with Wärtsilä’s Cutting-Edge Autonomous Docking Technology

The Finnish tech conglomerate Wärtsilä’s subsidiary, Wärtsilä ANCS, has successfully implemented their pioneering SmartDock autonomous docking system for Seaspan, a prominent Canadian marine transport and shipbuilding enterprise.

The delivery is said to mark a significant step towards autonomous docking and undocking operations, making maritime activities safer and more efficient.

The SmartDock system developed by Wärtsilä ANCS enables Seaspan to perform autonomous docking manoeuvres even in challenging conditions, where currents reach up to two knots. With its advanced technology, SmartDock guarantees safe and predictable docking and undocking manoeuvres, reducing the need for intensive interaction from the vessel’s captain.

Wärtsilä ANCS’s scope of work, which was signed in 2021, includes providing the autonomous SmartDock system, including track development for autodocking at Tilbury, Duke Point, and Swartz Bay ports in Canada.

Read the whole article from offshore-energy.biz website
Picture is from the same article.

Vapaus Strikes Gold at the 2023 European Startup Prize for Mobility

Vapaus Triumphs with Benefit Bike Service: Secures Gold in 5th European Startup Prize for Mobility Among 700+ Applicants.

Vapaus’ commitment to developing and deploying innovative solutions for the mobility sector, was recognized and inspired the jury. The European Startup Prize for Mobility is a recognition to the most pioneering startups in the mobility sector across Europe.

Vapaus Achieves Remarkable Growth

Vapaus, the innovative e-mobility and digital solutions provider, has witnessed a staggering 300% increase in turnover in 2022, soaring to €18.8 million. This remarkable growth trajectory continued in 2023, with the same turnover level achieved by July, edging the company towards its breakeven point. In Finland, Vapaus’s impact is profound, serving over 1300 business customers and equipping their staff with more than 16,000 benefit bikes. This growth not only underscores Vapaus’s commitment to promoting cycling-friendly environments and transforming urban commuting but also marks the beginning of its expansion into Sweden.

In support of Vapaus’s mission, a study by the Finnish Cyclists’ Federation, released on April 14, 2023, highlights the positive influence of bike benefits on employee commuting habits in Finland. Furthermore, the European Cyclists’ Federation has estimated annual benefits of cycling in the EU, including the UK, to be up to €150 billion, considering its positive impacts on the environment, public health, and mobility systems.”

About Vapaus:

Vapaus Bikes Finland Oy, a benefit bike service company founded in 2018 with over 30 professionals, combines eMobility, digital solutions, and welfare development in its service model. Ranked 19th among Finland’s 100 fastest-growing companies, Vapaus saw a 300% turnover was €18.8 million in 2022 and turnover in Jan-Aug 2023 is €21.4 million approaching breakeven in 2023. Vapaus aims to sustain its growth both in Finland and abroad.

Triumphant Win for City of Tampere and Wapice Ltd at the World’s Largest Smart City Event

Tampere Smart City has won a major technology award at The Enabling Technologies Award at the Barcelona Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC). Tampere Smart City is built on Wapice’s IoT platform IoT-TICKET.

The World Smart City Awards, in their 13th iteration, selected winners from 411 entries, with Tampere Smart City emerging as a standout. The city’s IoT platform “IoT-Ticket”, internationally acclaimed for its secure, high-quality data use, has significantly enhanced the daily lives of citizens, businesses, and government.

Tampere’s distinction in the competition stemmed from its global relevance; its innovative use of the IoT platform as a smart data hub addresses universal urban challenges in sustainability, safety, and business services, setting a replicable model for cities worldwide. Among other finalists were contenders from Hong Kong and Spain.

Read the whole article on Wapice.com -website

Read the official press release from the city of Tampere | Picture is from the article

Pulssi service predicts urban people flow with IoT-TICKET® and AI

From ideas to applications in minutes

Cut down costly software development and empower anyone to build apps

IoT-TICKET® is a complete Internet of Things (IoT) tool suite and platform allowing you to build web, mobile, cloud and reporting applications in minutes with big data analytics and easy to use tools. From drag & drop content building to plug & play connectivity, edge computing and scalable enterprise management.

Simplify IoT and transform into a digital champion: build IoT applications or business models in minutes. No need for additional, expensive, software development. Capitalize on your most important assets, your users, and give them the right tools to turn your ideas into profit by giving them the right tool suite.

Telia Crowd Insights Enhances Finnish Road Traffic Management for Fintraffic

Driving Traffic Management Innovation: Fintraffic Leverages Telia Crowd Insights to Propel Finnish Road Traffic Control and Planning into the Future. Telia Crowd Insights, a cutting-edge service harnessing anonymized and aggregated mobile network data to analyze movement patterns, is set to usher in a new era of traffic control and management in Finland. Fintraffic, dedicated to ensuring safe, efficient, and eco-friendly mobility in the country, is poised to benefit from richer and more detailed data for enhancing traffic planning, road maintenance, and investment projects.

Fintraffic’s Mobile Network Data Software Development and Nationwide Rollout Scheduled for 2024

Traffic calculations are conducted across Finland’s state-owned road network spanning approximately 78,000 kilometers. The road network is divided into 15,000 segments and traffic is counted at 3,000 of these segments each year. Roadside calculations take between one to two weeks and are performed either manually or using radar.

Fintraffic and Telia started a research and development project at the end of 2021, with the aim of using mobility data collected from the cellular network to enable more targeted planning of traffic and road maintenance. Following a tender process this year, Telia will continue as Fintraffic’s provider and developer of mobility data.

Telia Crowd Insights data will reduce the need for roadside calculations in two ways. Firstly, the data will be used to determine whether there has been a significant change in traffic volume on a particular segment of road. If there hasn’t been a significant change, there is no need for Fintraffic to perform a roadside calculation. Secondly, whereas previously it was necessary for Fintraffic to perform two roadside calculations at different times of year on each segment to determine the seasonal variation pattern, this pattern will now be revealed by Telia Crowd Insights data.

Read whole story on teliacompany.com

Photo is from the same article.

Kempower Joins Forces with Milence JV (Traton – Volvo – Daimler) as an EV Charger Supplier for Heavy-Duty Networks

Kempower Secures Deal to Provide DC Charging Solutions for Milence: A Traton, Volvo, and Daimler Joint Venture Aiming to Establish 1,700 Charging Stations for Heavy-Duty EVs in Europe by 2024.

Kempower becomes one of the suppliers of Milence

Milence will initially focus on charging locations in the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Norway, and Sweden. With half a billion euros in initial funding, Milence can begin a rapid expansion to support and accelerate the transition to zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles in Europe and offer drivers a more comfortable and safe working environment.

With this contract, Kempower becomes one of the charging technology suppliers that will help Milence develop truck charging hubs throughout Europe. Kempower will deliver its Kempower Satellite charging systems with CCS and 400 kW of power.

Read the original news on Sustainable-bus.com

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