Bosch has opened co-innovation space London Connectory to develop smart mobility solutions for the city.
Bosch has partnered with Nitrous, a platform facilitating projects between the private sector, start-ups and government, to open the new hub in Shoreditch.
The first partner to sign up is Transport for London (TfL) which has begun an 18-month collaboration with Bosch to explore how the goals set out in the Mayor’s Transport Strategy can be addressed.
These include seeing more efficient, greener and safer vehicles on the capital’s roads, reducing congestion and working towards 80 per cent of all trips across London being made on foot, by bicycle or by public transport by 2041.
Cities cannot meet the challenges created by urbanisation alone and such partnerships will play an increasingly important role in developing innovative solutions that are commercially and environmentally sustainable, said Arun Srinivasan, executive vice president of Bosch Mobility Solutions UK.
“We believe that a close collaboration between mobility professionals from established companies, authorities and start-ups will accelerate the development of technologies, products and services that have a positive impact on city life.”
The Shoreditch hub will play host to a network of start-ups, workshops, mentors, investors and developers.
George Johnston, founder and CEO of Nitrous, said: “Moving beyond the basic concept of a flexible office, London Connectory values co-creation and collaboration over co-working.
“This space has ambitious goals of making mobility more equitable, accessible, sustainable, and safe, thus reshaping cities around the world.
“It has always been Nitrous’ mission to bring together government bodies with SMEs to ensure better and more effective innovation. London Connectory is the living embodiment of this vision.”
Michael Hurwitz, director of innovation at Transport for London, said: “As part of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy we are constantly looking for ways to improve London’s transport network and our customers’ experience of it.
“This collaboration with Bosch will allow us to work with the next generation of innovators and small businesses early on.
“By working with market leading innovators, we aim to tackle some of the crucial issues that the city faces, from greener and safer vehicles to encouraging more active lifestyles.”
Bosch created its Connected Mobility Solutions division last year, which brings together around 650 associates from across the world to develop and sell digital mobility services.