Community-owned public transportation
A shared ownership model and financial product for autonomous public transport vehicles in rural areas, enabling citizens to contribute positively to their communities.
Type
Business Innovation Design
Role
Service Designer
Team
Melanie Gloeckler - Service Designer
Sujeban Susilakanthan - Service Designer
Toyota Logistics / Toyota Material Handling
This project has been selected as a semifinalist in the Toyota Logistics Design Competition 2024 in the Business Innovation Design category.
Toyota Material Handling develops new technologies and solutions for logistics. The focus is on Automation, Racking, Analytics, Telematics and Connected vehicles.
The challenge for this design competition: promoting circular economy through logistics.
Submission category:
Business innovation design:
New ideas for revenue streams, business cases and completely new business proposals that promote circularity and sustainability in the mobility and logistics area.
The Challenge
Promoting circular economy through logistics.
The Final Concept
RinkU enables citizen to invest in fractions of autonomous and electric public transport vehicles and earn dividends. It revitalises and strenghens communities by enhancing mobility in and around rural areas. This attracts a more diverse demographic and contributes to the long-term growth of the local economy.
Besides reducing carbon emissions and better utilisation of resources, this engagement can pave the pathway for more sustainable practices and a shared commitment to environmentally friendly initiatives.
The Challenge
Mobility options are scarce in rural areas.
According to the UN, 68% of the world population is projected to live in urban areas by 2050.
The limited profitability of bus services in rural areas has led public transport providers to progressively decrease their offerings.
The population mainly relies on individual modes of transport, predominantly cars. This negatively impacts the environment.
How might we revive rural areas?
Mobility is a key pillar for development.
Mobility allows for access to healthcare, food, educational opportunities and employment. It also increases rural residents' ability to access recreation, entertainment and other activities that promote community engagement.
The Opportunity
With technological advancements we will see an increase in adoption of electric, connected and autonomous vehicles.
Toyota is at the forefront of this mobility innovation and RinkU is based on the e-Palette - an autonomous and electric bus.
Traditional village economies have always been deeply rooted in collaboration, resource-sharing, and mutual support, such as co-ops. Co-ops exist to create value for their members and most importantly for their communities.
Blending technology, drawing inspiration from communal practices and with a focus on 2040, tackling sustainability - we have developed RinkU.
RinkU introduces more sustainable practices and enhances mobility in and around rural areas, while enabling citizens to contribute positively to their communities. Ultimately, it attracts a more diverse demographic and boosts the long-term growth of the local economy.
The Solution
Customer Journey
How it works
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