MOBiNET is an EU 7th Framework Programme Seven project that envisages a new Internet of Mobility where transport users meet providers of next-generation mobility services. The MOBiNET Marketplace will be used for all types of travel-related services, including both those that are connected to in-vehicle devices and those that are based on smartphone applications. Any service that requires integration of multiple data sources is a candidate for MOBiNET. The Project has selected ten service types to develop during the course of its fifty-five month duration. A number of partners in the Project have brought their services to the project and taken an active part in developing the technical solutions for implementing them. Below is a list of the ten MOBiNET Project Service Types.
MOBiNET Business Value Proposition
MOBiNET offers a business-to-business and business-to-consumer marketplace. Service providers, such as insurance companies offering usage based insurance (UBI) or parking operators offering multi-city or multi-country parking solutions, can publish their service providers and find other businesses to support their own business. The key benefits of using MOBiNET would be to access multiple devices or multiple data sources with a single contact point, the MOBiNET Marketplace, for both sellers and buyers, rather than requiring multiple contracts and connections. The result is a much larger market for suppliers of content and services, and a much larger selection for consumers.
The MOBiNET Marketplace Platform reference design shown in the diagram to the left includes all of the components necessary for both business and consumer users. The Identity Manager (1) is responsible for authenticating and authorizing both types of users. The Dashboard (2) provides the user interface for any service or content provider to register their services or search for services offered by others. The Service Directory (3) stores all information on services which are registered. The MOBiAGENT (4) component offers consumer end-users an interface for searching for services or products, such as UBI. Service Discovery (5) in the MOBiCenter, consists of widgets running in the Dashboard which interact with the Service Directory to allow end users the possibility to search for services and products. The Telematics Service Provider (TSP) Manager (6) is responsible for all communication between the Telematics Service Providers connecting on-board devices with service and content providers, and is an essential part of the UBI service.
Key Success Factors
The MOBiNET Marketplace is designed for use by all types of mobility applications, both in and out of vehicles and with integrated, tethered and nomadic systems. Vehicle-based connectivity solutions require the highest degree of security. Messaging to and from vehicles is therefore conducted via a trusted, so-called telematics service provider (TSP) that is able to send and receive encrypted data messages and forward service and data requests to the appropriate parties in the vehicle’s ecosystem. The MOBiNET Marketplace solution is technology agnostic, both on the vehicle side and on the service provider side, since it harmonizes the structure of data messages and access at the TSP level with the TSP Manager rather than at the in-vehicle device level. It is by design, multi-bearer and multi-content and can be implemented quickly.
Reducing the problem to the level of message interchange between TSPs and service and content providers ensures that the privacy of the individuals is kept intact. Just as importantly, it means that customers will be free to choose among a range of service and content providers who are compatible with their in-vehicle systems. End users decide where their data is sent by controlling themselves the relationship with the service providers. From the supplier side, content and service providers can sell to a much larger customer base, not just to the customers using a particular device. This will increase competition, lower costs and foster innovation.
Minimum sets of data will be defined for the core services within each major application area (e.g., usage based insurance, parking services, roadside assistance) and be delivered by the TSPs (not directly by the in-vehicle device). High level application protocols will also be defined in order to allow all sub-systems within the mobility services framework to interact smoothly with one another.
An added advantage of this approach is that technology development is fostered through competition to produce the best performing solutions at all steps, from the in-vehicle system design and operations to the delivery of services and contents. This is an advantage to the entire eco-system: OEMs, TSPs suppliers and the service and content providers. Business insights and each company’s intellectual property are protected.
The MOBiNET Marketplace, serving both vehicle drivers and non-drivers, delivers the following added value business advantages:
- Proprietary methods for collecting and decoding data at the device level remain confidential
- It is device and technology agnostic, backwards compatible and future-proof
- Security and confidentiality of communication protocols is preserved
- Device management and maintenance (line fitted and retro-fitted) are secured by their owners
- All service providers can have equal access to all types of devices and all customers
- Content for each service can be harmonized and a minimum set of data defined
- Everyone is able to focus on its core business while the eco-system is preserved
- Sustainability of the eco-system is maintained through fair compensation for each stakeholder
- Payments and financial transactions can be made even for small amounts and the entire payment and clearing process is simplified
- It is faster and more flexible than any other approach
- Most important, it provides a method for the end users to obtain the broadest range of services in the most convenient manner
Michael L. Sena
Allianz Telematics
MOBiNET Project Business Manager
