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Machine Intelligence Unleashes Autonomous Transportation

The current decade is not only significant for automobile manufacturer for commercializing autonomous vehicles. It also witnesses the landmark achievement of autonomy in the ride-sharing industry. Artificial intelligence laid the foundation stone to achieve these feats. Machine intelligence in transportation is a crucial component of future urban mobility.

The transportation monetization with AI will be valued at $750 billion by 2030 if it continues to grow at the current rate. Inexperienced researchers, as well as entrepreneurs, should know the steps that enable the autonomous cars to drive without human assistance.

Various components integrate to achieve a common milestone of uninterrupted mobility.

A completely autonomous vehicle is equipped with multiple sensors intended to achieve distinct tasks. The processors analyze the data from various sensors to enable smooth movement. This data integration occurs in real-time to allow a vehicle to make swift and appropriate decisions.

Computer Vision Sensors

Most of the current self-driving vehicles primarily use a single camera mounted on the windscreen. However, many auto manufacturers are introducing multiple cameras to increase visibility. The analysts believe that single camera version may work well on highways with less congestion. However, the urban downtowns and narrow pathways require far greater visibility.

Latest models of autonomous vehicles use a combination of four to six cameras covering 360° around the vehicle. Computer Vision (CV) algorithms power these cameras to detect objects ahead and around them.

The CV libraries use various machine learning techniques to detect the objects. The developers can customize the libraries to make a distinction between different objects. They need to predefine the region of interest (ROI) before algorithm undergoes supervised training.

Radar Sensors

RADAR is the current standard for assessing the distance and volume of objects around a vehicle. It uses medium and short-range radio waves which share the information of nearby objects after striking them.

The vehicles equipped with RADAR no longer require side-mirrors because any vehicle can estimate distance of other cars by using radio waves. Apart from lane changing assistance, the RADAR also enables the vehicles to maintain a safe distance, and park efficiently.

Currently, machine learning in transport management works in conjuncture with 24-GHz RADAR. However, 122 GHz technology is in the final testing phase and may soon be available by early next year. Besides, observers expect monolithic System-on-Chip technology to make way into the industry to integrate baseband functions along with RADAR.

LiDAR Sensor

While RADAR is already increasing the efficiency of self-driving vehicles, the LiDAR sensor set to completely transform them. Instead of radio waves, LiDAR uses laser light. Since the wavelength is relatively much shorter than, the system should comprise an intensely sensitive receiver apart from the transmitter. The shorter wavelength ensures greater frequency which allows the laser to penetrate the object.

This penetration assists the LiDAR system in modeling a 3D sketch of the object. High frequency also allows the system to work effectively under inclement weather conditions. In contrast, the environment significantly affects the efficiency of RADAR.

InnovizOne – one of the winners of CES Best of Innovation Awards – is a LiDAR technology equipped with the ability to detect objects as far as 250 meters from the vehicle. Owing to LiDAR technology, the device is resilient to harsh weather conditions. This gadget can track objects in real-time apart from detecting lanes. Moreover, it can also classify objects boosting the machine learning in transportation engineering.

Such inventions ensure that auto manufacturing giants will be able to reduce accidents up to a remarkable degree. The machine learning in transportation business will soon allow complete elimination of vulnerability. Since 94% of car accidents involve human error, autonomous cars will significantly bring down the percentage of crashes.

Machine Learning and Coordinate Resolution

The transport industry is one of the chief stakeholders of GPS technology. Every driver with smartphone access may find the one’s pinpoint location in the remotest regions using the GPS. It does not require internet connectivity.

Machine learning enhances GPS use by providing highly-efficient route optimization. Correct implementation enables the optimization algorithms to detect narrow streets and parking lots too. The AI in transportation ensures that the vehicle makes better route selection decisions without affecting the mobility of nearby vehicles.

Finally, the data from all the sensors, cameras and GPS capacitates the vehicle to drive without driver’s assistance. Level-two autonomy also features cruise control where the vehicle moves without interference from the driver. However, cruise control can only be enabled in certain conditions.

Challenges and Notable Breakthroughs

Although the application of machine learning in transportation fared very well, yet administrators and auto-manufacturers need to overcome a few shortcomings too.

  • The RADAR sensors with 4-GHz bandwidth for 79-GHz frequency would be the ideal case for smooth running of traffic. However, most of the countries currently allow 77-GHz frequency with 1-GHz bandwidth. Nevertheless, regulatory framework is under development with a breakthrough expected soon.
  • The improvement in LiDAR technologies is enabling the manufacturers to use the alternative option of RADAR. The logistics giant DHL announced the use of AI transportation logistics to inducing more stability to the fleet industry.
  • Up to a few years back, consumers were reluctant to using autonomous vehicles for fear of collision. However, they are rapidly gaining trust. The introduction of Waymo in Arizona is a massive development causing a remarkable enthusiasm among travelers to utilize autonomous ride-hailing service.
  • The governments around the developed world are devising a comprehensive framework for autonomous vehicle industry. Most of them already allow incorporation of self-driving vehicles in for urban mobility.
  • Although contemporary transportation systems lack a shared environment, yet upcoming times are set to witness the distributed mobility mechanism controlled from centralized locations. This will allow efficient use of vehicles and will prevent traffic congestion.

Machine intelligence in transportation is very close to achieving an autonomous urban mobility model. The rest of the tasks are only a matter of small time because most of the testing and requisite legislation has already been done.

Meanwhile, investors have an unparalleled opportunity at their disposal to become one of the pioneers of autonomous ride-sharing service. Regardless of the amount of technical understanding, you can be the industry leader too. Sign up today to get going.

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How Technology Can Help the Taxi Industry?

The technology and taxi industry are complimenting each other which is gaining momentum day by day. The taxi industry caters for about 15 million commuters a day, that include workers, school goers, and women. It is the most used mode of public transport, which is making an estimated R90 billion annually.

Technology has adopted by various taxi companies. Uber and Grab are big names that are getting great benefits using the taxi app dispatch solution. Seeing their success, different taxi companies are using taxi apps to boost their business revenue.

Significant changes are undergoing in the taxi industry. Ten years ago, the norm was to wait for a cab to get a ride. However, technology has paved the way for massive change, influencing the entire industry. Now, businesses prefer using white label taxi dispatch solution. Many taxi businesses use CabStartup white label taxi dispatch and fleet management system as it is efficient and productive for managing taxi businesses.

The taxi industry has become competitive because of the arrival of various taxi companies that are continuously rising in number to fill the rising demand using the white label taxi dispatch app.

The use of technology is significantly contributing to dealing with the challenges faced by the taxi industry. The purpose of technology is to meet consumer needs by adopting latest technologies like Uber and Lyft, thus improving the taxi industry.

These apps are becoming more convenient for smartphone users. Taxi companies manage their routes, fleet and keep track of their members for emergencies using these efficient ride-hailing apps.

Ride-hailing industry estimated global worth is $108 billion. Currently, there are on average 15 million ride-hailing apps globally which are expected to rise to 97 million by 2030.

Service Strategy:

The goal of Uber and Grab is to retain drivers and passengers by providing excellent quality service. Most of people prefer using them because of various benefits and convenience it offers. Their goal is to pick the passengers on time and drop them safely at the said destinations. Passengers expect a certain level of comfort from Uber, Grab or any other similar taxi company.

Benefits of Using Technology in the Taxi Industry:

There are multiple benefits of using technology in the taxi industry. Below are some of them:
1. You can hire a taxi at any time of the day
2. You can book a taxi either from your mobile phone, laptop or tablet.
3. You can cancel the booking if you don’t need a cab anymore.
4. You can share your route, details of the trip with your partners or friends if required.
5. You can book a taxi in advance for a few hours later ride.

Taxi Apps for Ease and Efficiency:

The introduction of taxi apps has seen a dramatic change to the old norm. The customer does not need to wait for long times as bookings are made on the phone using the taxi app.

CabStartup has developed apps for some of the world’s leading taxi companies, helping them to stay competitive. It helps to book a taxi with an app, leading to a streamlined and efficient system for taxi companies.

Transparent Cost:

Driver app shows the nearest fares to the driver within a particular area. The app shows customer’s fare by considering the distance, time of day and traffic. Most taxi apps employ cashless payment methods like credit/debit card. With the latest payment technology, passengers can pay faster than ever before.

The calculation is completed before the driver has arrived at the customer’s pickup location, putting customers at ease over the price of the journey and ensuring a fair system for drivers.

Ensure Safety:

Taxi drivers submit their details to the company before providing their services. Their services are monitored in different ways. They are licensed professional drivers, therefore; taxi companies ensure safety of their passengers.

Efficient System:

The decrease in calls is most likely in a traditional system. On-demand mobile apps allows customers to get the services using the efficient system. It also decreases confrontations between drivers and customers. CabStartup implements a driver rating system to ensure drivers are professional in driving and providing customer service. It adds peace of mind for the potential passengers.

Cloud Dispatch Systems:

Cloud dispatch system are the best examples of using technology that are helping business owners in bringing efficiency to their business and increasing revenues. GPS tracking feature is used in the fleet management system to locate its drivers.

Drivers can pick the customers within two minutes. It is an automated system that offers a comprehensive solution in terms of efficiency and productivity. The taxi company gets an efficient booking system from a reliable mobile app development company to maximize their ROI.

Taxi apps allow the efficient system, reduce journey time, increase safety, and improve the business flow. Technology enables the taxi industry to undergo a remarkable change.

We provide a white label taxi dispatch solution for taxi companies all over the world. It is an efficient and comprehensive solution that can be customized according to the business requirements. If you are looking for a taxi dispatch app solution, Sign Up today!

By cabadmin 0 Comments

Unsustainable Taxi Startups in a Prosperous Industry

Since the inception of smartphone revolution, an impressive number of startups made their mark on various industries. There is a significant increase in the rate of emerging businesses owing to the remarkable developments in technology. Taxi app companies alone are the reason behind an industry worth $40 billion. However, many taxi startups fail to sustain for longer periods due to inflexibility in the business models.

One of the previous articles explore the reasons behind the most successful taxi app solution. Contrarily, this article discovers the causes of failure – specifically, due to the deficit of sustainable policies. It also mentions brief case studies and recommends an appropriate path to ensure sustainability. Although a substantially high number of taxi businesses flopped, yet this text emphasizes the ones which nosedived after making a decent start.

Lack of persistence remains the primary cause behind flopped cab startups.

Karhoo

It was a promising initiative started in London. It raised sizable funding within weeks of its launch. The taxi app attracted over 0.3 million users in the first couple of weeks. The business model was disparate to the existing companies but was favorable. It did not challenge the established operators since Karoo did not keep paid drivers. Instead, the London taxi app complemented the competitors’ productivity by finding rides for them and got a commission in return.

However, Karhoo went into bankruptcy in less than six months after making a dream start. The executives invested in subsidizing the rides to increase the user-base since they were expecting funding from multiple sources. Although the company was attracting investors, yet none of them promised the cash flow.

Consequently, the taxi app business ran out of money. The employees worked without salaries for few weeks before succumbing to the impending bankruptcy.

Sidecar

Analyst labeled it as one of the fiercest competitors of Uber and Lyft. One significant element that distinguished this on-demand taxi service from the giant competitors was the ability to incorporate new features. The features like rating drivers and choosing the driver of choice apart from others made the company stand out. These driver friendly policies were highly praised in the industry.

However, Sidecar failed to address the problems of users – the actual force behind the business. While Uber app and Lyft allowed booking in three taps, Sidecar required traversing through multiple choices before finally getting a ride. In an industry where most of the consumers require quick actions, Sidecar took few minutes to schedule a ride. The time driver took to reach the pick-up location was aside.

Uber in Korea

Despite making impressive gains around the world, Uber failed to attain traction in a developing country as good as South Korea. In all these years of Uber’s global success, it could only introduce and sustain UberBlack in Korea – that too up to a minimal extent. The core cause holding Uber is the firm grip of the local taxi union and strict regulations from government.

Amid such circumstances, CallBus – a local startup – successfully started and consolidated its position. CallBus founders learned from the case of Uber and introduced a service which did not pose a threat to taxi businesses. It offers only the night time services. During these hours, the number of taxi drivers is extremely low, but the passengers are somewhat higher.

In-depth Failure Review

The primary reason for failure of Karhoo was the lack of sustainable funding. The company made excessively ambitious plans considering the initial influx of money. However, it choked in the long-run as investors delayed the promised money. Taxi app industry requires promotional packages to attract customers, but this practice should not stand at the cost of entire volume of bankruptcy risk.

The acquisition and successful remodeling of Karhoo by Renault indicate that solid funding source can sustain business considerably long time.

The case of Sidecar indicates that the on-demand taxi companies should emphasize customer journey map – the hypothetical paths which customers travel to acquire services. Sidecar introduced many exciting features which the top taxi apps could not offer by that time. However, it missed on one of the crucial elements – customer facilitation.

The case of Uber presents a significant factor for the success of any startup – the respect rendered to and collaboration with the local community. The government disregarded the stature of Uber and all the facilities that it could bring to the riders in favor of local taxi community.

However, CallBus is successfully running by targeting the areas where service was insufficient to meet the demand. Apart from night-only services, the company employs taxi drivers who are helping them in attaining support in the taxi union.

How to sustain business in dynamic taxi app industry?

By considering the three cases and a bunch of other studies, one should ensure that the startup complies with the following principles.

  • Avoid expansion in regions where an adequate amount of funding is unavailable. One should make sure that the prospective investors make an investment before starting on an ambitious plan.
  • Cosmetic changes in taxi app should be among the last features to add. The on-demand cab startups should strive to eliminate any shortcomings which prevent customers to prefer the service over its rivals.
  • Regardless of the size of business, the local regulations the primary factors to consider while scaling up. The service should be tailor-made to cater to the specific needs of the local community.
  • The companies should ensure to embrace newer promising technologies. It is notable that technology, which disrupted the traditional taxi business, can uproot current businesses too. Thus, the incorporation of technology is essential. Uber already revealed plans to introduce flying pilot-less taxi to address the growing traffic concerns.

Invest Where it Matters

It would be highly inappropriate for a taxi app business to flop despite knowing the causes of failures. The demand for services is big enough that arrival of many new successful startups will not create saturation. All a business enthusiast needs to do is to ensure the facilitation of customers and to invest in the appropriate technologies.

Your taxi startup should not lead to failure as long as CabStartup is the underlying platform. Start your free trial today to evaluate our platform. Let’s grow together!

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TED Talks Emphasize Smart Technology for Future of Mobility (Part-I)

The invention of combustion vehicles over a century back was a result of the necessity of times. People required quicker ways to reach destinations to spend time on other useful activities. Vehicles allowed them to replace carts and the innovation was termed as the future of mobility.

The current vehicle traffic mess poses the same question which the mankind addressed over a century back – How to quickly and economically move around cities? This question follows from the fact that commuters spend a considerable part of their days while riding a public bus or driving. In 100 years of time, the commuters are wasting nearly same amount of time on traveling inside cities.

TED Talks highlight undeniable problems with contemporary mobility.

Research estimates that around a staggering 70 million new vehicles hit the roads every year. The widening of roads and extending the highway network would barely help in future. This policy is already choking up. Major cities are going to reach the saturation point soon where no more room would be available to accommodate additional vehicles.

There is a substantial number of other factors which will eventually fail the current traffic model. The cost to minimize the effect of climate change is peaking to new heights. The electric vehicles provide some relief. However, the humongous number of increasing cars will ultimately cancel the effect of battery-run vehicles.

One of the core problems is the vacant seats in almost every other automobile. Credible surveys reveal that 85% of vehicles in the morning carry single person. This percentage indicates that every 85 out of 100 cars cover a sizable amount of highways transport. This is because the least number of people traveling in these cars. This is the existential crisis with the concept of private vehicle ownership.

The rising number of automobiles do not only create clogging on highways. Estimates reveal that 30% of the bottle-necks on link roads are the result of few drivers searching for parking.

Some people view the extension of public transport as the most viable solution. Indeed, it can serve cities in a much better way if the administrators integrate advanced technologies. Subways and metro buses allow hundreds of thousands of commuters to travel each day eliminating the need to carry private vehicle. However, public transport is subsidized by taxes to meet the huge operational costs. Besides, the frequent stops on the way to one’s destination cause delays for the commuters.

Fortunately, research enables us to implement sustainable solution up our sleeves.

The researchers have been able to suggest a number of alternatives to the current commuting system. In fact, some city administrations around the developed world are testing the remarkable concepts. These concepts define much more sustainable mobility solution.

TED Talks transcripts reveal that speakers including Wanis Kabbaj, Ryan Janzen, and Oren Shoval believe in technology to completely eliminate traffic problems in cities. They do not only suggest the solutions to frequent clogging but the woes of lack of space on public vehicles and excessive room in private ones. They are no more concepts as many of these systems are well tested.

On-Demand Dynamic Bus System

Usually, single or a couple of people travel in the five-seat vehicle while rest of the unoccupied seats collectively create massive inefficiencies. The 85 people traveling on 85 different vehicles could all have fitted in a single bus.

On-demand commuting and traveling industries are already flourishing at a remarkable pace. Near future will entirely eliminate private vehicle ownership. The on-demand shuttle service will take its place where commuters will be able to book a seat instead of occupying entire vehicle. Oren Shoval, the owner of Via – the first shuttle service of this kind, mentions that the future transportation will ensure efficiency.

One significant point is the fact that DBS challenges the traditional model of stopping at fixed locations to pick commuters. Instead, the travelers can acquire any vehicle in the pool which is nearest to them.

The current leaders of on-demand taxi services did not primarily offer the ability of car-pooling. However, many of them followed in the footstep of Via. Many of them still allow a single person to book the entire vehicle. Car-pooling applications initiated by Via will ensure that vehicles leave none of the seats empty. On-demand shuttle is not only an alternative to private automobile ownership but the future of mobility as well.

The model works well because most of the private vehicles owners are ready to quit keeping cars if the administrators bring a fitting alternative. The system makes sense for the commuters as they share very encouraging feedback. In all three cities where Via operates, the travelers want more vehicles to meet the demand.

Tackling delays with Bus Detaching

One of the challenges – and drawbacks – of public transport is the time it takes for almost every commuter to reach destination. The bus or subway train stops at multiple stations before the commuter reaches the desired station. The inadequacies of public transport are understandably one of the top TED Talks topics from recent years.

The concept of ‘bus detaching’ presents an impressive alternative. Instead of a bus making stops to pick up and drop off riders at multiple stations, a part of bus may detach to stop at station to drop people while rest of the other parts may continue the journey to the last station. By following this model, the regulators will no longer require an entire bus to travel through every station on the way.

Even if every station falls on the same road, the duration to stop by at various stations increase the travel time considerably. The worst is the case when a bus has to travel on various roads.

The concept of bus detaching is the most efficient known solution. It will not only eliminate the need to stop at various junctions but will also prevent same public vehicle to traverse multiple roads.

Stay Tuned

Fantasizing that preserving the current mobility model by building more roads and bridges to solve traffic problems is deceptive thinking. This approach is only going to make the mess deeper. Another article citing the solutions from TED Talks will be published soon.

Meanwhile, you may subscribe to the newsletter so that the copy of the remaining half is with you as soon as it is published. Moreover, you can sign up to start entrepreneurship journey in the transport industry.

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Future Transportation Trends Depict Dominance of Smart Vehicle

The current wave of industrial revolution redefines multiple industries. Many developed countries are working on raising smart cities with intelligent robots working in place of humans. The most notable factor of a smart city is the means of transportation and commuting. By assessing the research and development of recent times, one can forecast the future transportation trends.

This forecast does not depict the trends of distant future. Instead, the inhabitants of developed nations will witness the CASE vehicles roaming on the highways and narrow streets. The CASE – short for Connected, Autonomous, Shared and Electric – vehicles are the essence of prospective smart cities.

The consumers and entrepreneurs will not have to wait much to observe the CASE vehicles. Many companies are inching closer to reveal their products allowing the investors to revolutionize transport industry.

Since many investors are preparing to flow their money in this revolutionary idea, the aspirants should learn how the CASE concept will evolve the industry.

CASE vehicles will transform the Transportation in multiple ways

Economic Sustainability

The future transportation systems will ensure a three-way economic sustainability for investors, commuters and transport administrators.

Sustainability for Investors

Investment in electric vehicles significantly reduces the costs of operation. The US Department of Energy reveals that the fuel cost of a combustion engine is more than twice of that of electric vehicles. The investors can save millions of dollars annually with efficient fuel consumption. These cost-effective vehicles depicting future trends in public transportation move entirely on charged- battery.

The DOE also reports that the maintenance of EVs cost 35% less than that of the combustion engine. Moreover, the costs of EV maintenance are reducing with time as the number of parts is lessening.

Sustainability for commuters

The travelers and commuters will optimize their daily tasks by reducing the time and costs of traveling. The ability to pool the cars by multiple commuters will divide the fare. In fact, Uber and some other ride-hailing services already offer the option of car-pooling.

The commuters will not face the menace of traffic while commuting by CASE vehicles. An autonomous car is able to locate and identify any object from an approximately 250m distance. If the object is another CASE car, the two vehicles can also communicate with each other to adjust their relative speeds. Thus, the bottle-necks and traffic jams will be things of the past.

Environmental Sustainability

The environmental campaigns are strongly supporting the large-scale production of electric vehicles for transportation and commuting. Research indicates that cars with combustion engines emit three times as much CO2 as EVs.

Some buyers were reluctant to purchase electric cars owing to a severe deficit of charging stations. Nevertheless, governments are paying careful attention to increase the number of chargers to meet demand by the end of 2019.

Evolution of Transport Administrative Setup

The contemporary transportation requires extensive management on multiple fronts. In most cities, an entire section of traffic police maintains the flow of traffic and identify the violators.

Many urban administrations are implementing intelligent cameras which identify the vehicle and share the owner’s information with relevant authorities. The database connected with these cameras generates and sends an automated ticket to the offenders. This mechanism is still in the rudimentary stages, but experts believe that it will mature in less than a year.

The autonomous vehicles will further assist the administrators by eliminating the damages and fatalities due to accidents. Research unveils over 1.25 million annual worldwide casualties due to human errors. Analysts label the current status of self-driving cars as level 4.

Level 1 and 2 involved very limited automation as drivers controlled most of the functions. The subsequent level required only occasional intervention from humans while the vehicle was able to control every function. There is essentially no intervention from humans in Level 4. The vehicle requires supervision only in extremely rare cases. This stage is nearing its conclusion.

Final and forthcoming level will enable the cars to entirely decide in any situations. This level may take some time to evolve, but it will not affect the usual operations. Thus, the connected, autonomous and shared environment is highly effective for administrators.

Transport Business Development

The ride-sharing industry is the chief stakeholder of CASE integration in vehicles. Many transport, commute, and ride-hailing companies are investing a significant amount of money on what some call smart transportation system.

Uber is projecting a ride-pooling service with fully autonomous vehicles by the end of 2020. The company has also revealed the plans to introduce VTOL CASE aircraft ride-hailing. It forecasts to start the service in 2023. The analysts expect it to rule the future trends in air transportation. The aircraft called Nexus is a product of Bell which is in partnership with Uber.

Ford also plans to initiate autonomous ride sharing around the same time as Uber. Unlike Uber, the auto manufacturer will use their vehicles. Google’s parent company Alphabet already started their CASE ride-hailing service in Arizona. The service ensures level 3 autonomy where drivers sit behind the wheel to intervene once alerted by vehicle software.

The fresh investors can benefit as much as the established ones. An investor needs to make collaborations with leaders of multiple industries. For instance, collaboration with the auto manufacturer will ensure the acquisition of vehicles on discounted rates.

Moreover, the on-demand taxi concept does not require ownership of the vehicle. Instead, other investors may offer their vehicle to get a share of profit. The only expenditure is the development of an efficient mobile app which enables the companies to monitor and customers to book rides. Thus, an entrepreneur can start the ride-sharing business with little investment.

It is notable that the development is unlikely to result in unemployment hike. While the autonomous software will replace drivers, scores of alternate jobs will be created to govern the future transportation systems.

Act Now!

All these indicators highlight the significance of CASE vehicles in changing the future transportation trends. This is the appropriate time to invest as the smart industry is emerging. Careful planning and efficient implementation can make any startup as one of the pioneers of smart ride-hailing.

To initiate building the ride-hailing software, you can start your free trial right now.

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