Urbanization walks hand in hand with a growing demand for innovative mobility solutions – especially for commuters. Stuttgart is one of many cities aiming to reduce individual traffic and minimize particulate matter by offering a range of environmentally friendly solutions. Under the direction of the main player for public transport Stuttgarter Straßenbahnen (SSB) the project Stuttgart Services aims to promote a model for eco-friendly yet flexible transportation by combining individual and public transport. The tool of choice is the so called Stuttgart Service Card which is developed by 23 partners. What motivates us from Bosch Software Innovations to be one of the partners and demonstrate our know-how? We are committed to lead by example: You will discover a sustainable alternative to individual transport if you want to get around in Greater Stuttgart. In addition you will profit from a link to municipal services (e.g. libraries). I, myself, am eager to try out the new card, as driving in a metropolitan area has become quite a hassle. This way, I’m sure to reach my destination in a fast, stress-free manner whilst joining the age of e-mobility.
On the road to reaching our destination
Recently, the project has reached two major milestones in its developmental phase. At the end of September, the prototype of a B2C platform was finished, an information functionality portal. This platform eases customer access via your smartphone, tablet and personal computer, and allows the customer to filter mobility services by certain criteria. This is where Bosch Software Innovations comes in. Having tailored a Services Brokering Platform for the project, we have created a process without pit-stops for any partners who wish to take part. By the end of 2014 the prototype will be tested and available in the first half of 2015 to everyone who wants to use Stuttgart Services.
Providing a software platform isn’t new to us, but I’m excited to use already existing technology in a whole new context. We are looking at a network approach that connects different mobility partners and, in the future, municipal services. The key challenge for us was bringing together different partners with different development approaches and connecting their IT systems to the brokering platform. The prototype provided us with first insights which we are working on right now.
Another milestone was reached by successfully completing a user-friendly field test in which around 70 participants from a variety of backgrounds tested the technical functionality and usability of the Stuttgart Service Card in daily life. One of the more popular points was the service’s easy accessibility due to the fact that it can be bought cashless with a MasterCard credit card. One swipe gets you wherever you need to be. This will almost dispense with the need for tickets.
Who’s behind it all?
Stuttgart Services is a project of the Living Lab BWe mobil showcase taking place currently to explore application-oriented mobility solutions, an initiative of the German Federal Government. An overview of all 23 partners involved can be found on the project’s website.
Next steps into the future
The partners, including Bosch Software Innovations, will develop a concept of how municipal services can and shall be technically integrated within Stuttgart Services. By the middle of 2015 the project partners first aim to change commutation tickets for registered members to a Stuttgart Service Card. After this first phase, the card will be available to all commuters. Quite convenient, don’t you think?
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