Brussels, 16 June 2014
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 ecodriving competition.
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 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.”
The ecodriving competition with Valtteri Bottas, 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.
Valtteri 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.”
Intelligent vehicle systems contribute to a safer, greener and more efficient mobility. New vehicle technologies are continuously emerging, but they are not always obvious to end users. Public awareness and acceptance is essential for a smooth integration of these technologies.
The event was opened by Henna Virkkunen, Finnish Minister of Transport; Zoran Stančič, Deputy Director General of the European Commission’s DG Connect; Martti Merilinna, Autoliitto President; Jean Todt, FIA President; and Finnish Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas.
This event was organised by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the Automobile and Touring Club of Finland (Autoliitto).
Other test-ride and demonstrations included autonomous braking (Volvo); self-parking cars (Citroën and Ford); electric cars (Nissan and Ford); and additional driver monitoring tools (Helpten and Driveco).
For more information and the full list of participating companies, visit: www.imobilitychallenge.eu/roadshow
NOTES FOR THE EDITORS:
About the iMobility Challenge
iMobility Challenge, is an EU funded project by DG Connect of the European Commission to demonstrate the benefits of efficient, safe and smart mobility through new Intelligent Transport System (ITS) solutions. The FIA is leading the coordination of the project, working with partners ACEA (European automobile manufacturers association), CLEPA (the European association of Automotive suppliers), ERTICO (the network of Intelligent Transport Systems and Services stakeholders in Europe) and VTT (Technical Research Centre of Finland).
The declared objectives of iMobility Challenge are:
-Promote the deployment and use of intelligent vehicle systems for energy efficient and sustainable mobility, with a particular focus on cooperative systems;
– Support the implementation process for priority iMobility systems, notably as directed by EU legislation;
-Organise iMobility awareness raising events for policy makers with vehicle demonstrations, and national awareness events for users with demonstrations, driving Experiences and training open to the public;
– Conduct support studies documenting the socio-economic impact of iMobility systems throughout the project, through a mapping of systems and of products and services based on cooperative systems; and by assessing consumer awareness and demand, and their feedback before and after testing systems.
For more information, visit www.imobilitychallenge.eu or contact: Gabriel Simcic, Senior Project Manager, FIA Region I, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. +32 2 282 0817
About the FIA
Founded in 1904, with headquarters in Paris, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) is a non-profit making association. It brings together over than 236 national motoring and sporting organisations from more than 139 countries on five continents. Its member clubs represent millions of motorists and their families.
The FIA Region I office, based in Brussels, is a consumer body representing 110 Motoring and Touring Clubs and their 38 million members from across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The FIA represents the interest of these members as motorists, public transport users, pedestrians and tourists. The FIA’s primary goal is to secure a mobility that is safe, affordable, sustainable and efficient. With these aims in mind, the FIA Region I work focuses on Road Safety, Consumer Protection, Environmental Protection, and the promotion of Sustainable Motoring.
About Autoliito
The Automobile and Touring Club of Finland (AL) is the only nationwide association for private motoring in Finland. According to its objectives the AL is an association established to look after the interests, services and hobbies of individual motorists.
About the European ITS Congress
ITS Congresses are the annual meeting point of the ITS (Intelligent Transport System) community. Over the years, ITS Congresses have received the highest support throughout the ITS world from government, industry and other organisations. The World Congresses and Exhibitions on ITS move to a new region each year, stopping in Europe every third year!
Helsinki hosts the European ITS Congress in 2014. www.itsineurope.com
Last modified on Monday, 16 June 2014
