Cryptocurrency 'Mobilio' Helps Reducing Traffic Accidents - Austrian Firm

Most of us automatically reach for our phone the moment a message arrives. We also answer incoming immediately because they could be important. This is not a problem, unless you are driving a vehicle. When you check a message at 55mph, you end up driving blind for about the length of a football field.

Traffic accidents are the most frequent cause of death worldwide for people aged between 5 and 29. In a quarter of all accidents, the mobile phone now plays a role, making it the number one cause of accidents. In addition to personal suffering, there is also economic damage amounting to almost 500 billion euros a year.

Traditional approaches such as traffic penalties have proved ineffective due to the deep-rooted psychological nature of the problem. "The satisfaction of our curiosity by reaching for the phone is directly connected with the reward system of our brain," explains Neurologist and Chairman of the Berlin Medical Association Examination Commission for Neurologists, Dr. Afshin Jawari.

"This is exactly why we are relying on reward instead of punishment," says Harald Trautsch, CEO of Dolphin Technologies. With the Mobilio app, which is available for Android devices and iPhones, you receive points for not using your mobile phone while driving. Those points convert to Mobilio tokens so, in effect, anyone can 'mint' the currency simply by distraction-free driving. "This democratization of the distribution of Mobilio tokens has important implications for its future use and value," adds Trautsch.

[caption id="attachment_132882" align="aligncenter" width="720"] Mobilio app screenshots: wallet, main screen, and 'don’t touch while driving’ screen[/caption]

The method for minting Mobilio tokens ensures they generate real value to society, which is road safety. Meanwhile, the digital currency is designed in a way that the more people use the app, the greater its value. "The vision that the Mobilio token could one day have a similar performance to Bitcoin and Co creates a strong incentive to drive safely," says Trautsch.

Mobilio tokens can be used in the so-called 'Mobilio Marketplace', which Dolphin Technologies is currently setting up together with industry partners. The currency can be used to pay for the products and services of insurance companies, retailers and other marketplace participants. In addition, the token will be traded on crypto exchanges within the next few months, giving it a tangible value in the 'real' world.



Mobilio White Paper: https://www.mobilio.cc/wp-content/uploads/MOBILIO-Whitepaper.pdf
Mobilio Yellow Paper: https://www.mobilio.cc/wp-content/uploads/difficulty_yellow_paper.pdf

India, Japan jointly Launch 'M2Smart' Project to Solve Traffic Congestion using AI, IoT and Neural Networks

A joint research project "Multi Modal Smart Transportation (M2Smart)", by Japan and India under a scheme of "Science Technology Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS), was launched at Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IIT-H), in order to develop low-carbon scenarios through research and demonstration, human resource development through mutual human resources exchanges.

M2Smart project is a Smart Cities project based on Sensing, Networking and Big Data Analysis of Multimodal Regional Transport System, was designed collaboratively by Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Jointly undertaken by IIT-H, Nagoya Electric works Co. Ltd., Nihon University and Tokyo Institute of Technology, the M2Smart project aims to reduce the amount of energy consumed and to conduct research and development towards the realization of low-carbon smart cities, and to develop related adaptive strategic approaches in India.

The first field test bed for M2smart system has also been launched in IIT-H campus and a 30 Km stretch of NH-65. The field test bed system comprises of several key components of traffic management system such as real time traffic flow monitoring cameras, speed detection safety system, traffic signal lights and remote environment gas sensing.

[caption id="attachment_130869" align="aligncenter" width="1149"] Construction of low-carbon scenario through research and demonstration[/caption]

The Testbed will generate a practical ‘handbook’ on low carbon urban transportation for developing countries based on big data generated by vehicular traffic. Data is generated using cameras, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi sensors, speed detection safety system and conflict warning system using traffic signal lights. IIT-H has Electric rickshaws running inside the campus and are used to understand the driving cycle of e-vehicles.

[caption id="attachment_130870" align="aligncenter" width="1127"] JST and JICA Joint R& D（SATREPS)[/caption]

The aim of the joint research project is to establish a reliable and common approach for grasping the traffic situation in cities by building a system that effectively utilizes mobile devices, traffic sensing, big-data analysis and network technology.

It is hoped that by utilising the field test bed system, research teams of Japan and India will continue to work together to create reliable approach for grasping the traffic situation in the cities in India, which would contribute to the formation of suitable urban transportation system and facilitation of a modal shift."

For the traffic flow analysis of M2Smart project, the project team will implement deep learning AI recognition architecture, driving behaviour sensing, environment gas monitoring, and so on.

Besides testing it at NH-65 in Hyderabad, M2Smart will also be tested in Ahmedabad by joint collaboration with Ahmedabad city where project team will install traffic monitoring camera at several junctions. The project team will be able to compare traffic condition of these two cities. The project team will also utilize project analysis to generate hand-book for low carbon urban transportation that would be beneficial for the consideration of suitable urban transportation system in India.

JICA has been extending integrated support to IIT-H through ODA (Official Development Assistance) loan of 23,035 million Japanese yen (over INR 1,300 crore) for IIT-H campus development. JICA's support is facilitating the development of International Guesthouse, Sports & Cultural Complex, Technology and Incubation Part, Convention Centre, Research Centre Complex, and Knowledge Centre, procurement of high-end laboratory equipment in IIT-H campus.

Source - The Hans India, Business Line

Flying Cars To AI, Flipkart is Initiating Crowdsource Contest

Last month, we reported how Indian e-commerce giant Flipkart, which turned 10 this year, had launched a Gridlock Hackathon contest which aimed towards solving Bengaluru's decades long traffic situation as a part of its ten years anniversary celebrations. And now, in what could be considered as a true blue example of a community coming together for a good cause by ignoring their differences, several big tech giants and startups have poured in their applications with a wide range of solutions ranging from exploring the more practical artificial intelligence and big data to going in for the big guns such as flying cars to fight this human created monster.

The e-commerce giant had decided to crowdsource solutions focusing on Bengaluru's traffic solution in particular as it is the city it took birth ten years ago in 2007, and by solving one of the biggest daily problems being faced by Bengaluruians, it wishes to give something back to its home city courtesy which it became India's most successful e-commerce company till date.

For people considering traffic jams, gridlock situations only cause loss of precious human time, it so much more than that. It affects the country on an economic level. In Bengaluru alone, traffic jams directly cost about 2 percent from the city’s estimated GDP of $30 billion, according to an estimate given by V. Ravichandar, urban infrastructure expert and chairman at market researcher Feedback Consulting to Bloomberg. The actual cost of loss of slackened productivity, opportunity and health care caused by it can run its billions.

The contest, which closed last week, drew in more than a thousand teams from all over the world, not just India. Here are a few ideas that could put a permanent end to human's traffic misery that they have to go through unwantingly almost everyday.

Talking to Bloomberg, Akshay Rao, who works for Amazon in Seattle, has sent in his entry for the contest shared his solution. He suggests reforming the driver licensing system by creating incentives for the right road behaviour. He also proposes propagating timely information on public transport only made available to paid users.

There are several other applications suggesting incorporating the power of Internet of Things for solving the problem such as having IoT-powered road dividers that would be capable of changing orientation to handle changing traffic situations. There is also a solution proposing having a reporting system that can track vehicles that don’t comply to the road rules, a device that is capable of tracking social media to generate traffic leads and building a network of smart satellite townships that can ease the traffic flow on Bengaluru roads. There is also a suggestion for using cloud to make Bengaluru a traffic free city by helping the police in tackling traffic violators in the city and making them accountable.

The winner, which hasn't been announced yet, will get to walk away with a prize money of $5,500. But, one could say that if the contest is actually able to fix Bengaluru's traffic woes, it would be the city and its citizens who would be the real winners.

Flying Cars To AI, Flipkart is Initiating Crowdsource Contest

Last month, we reported how Indian e-commerce giant Flipkart, which turned 10 this year, had launched a Gridlock Hackathon contest which aimed towards solving Bengaluru's decades long traffic situation as a part of its ten years anniversary celebrations. And now, in what could be considered as a true blue example of a community coming together for a good cause by ignoring their differences, several big tech giants and startups have poured in their applications with a wide range of solutions ranging from exploring the more practical artificial intelligence and big data to going in for the big guns such as flying cars to fight this human created monster.

The e-commerce giant had decided to crowdsource solutions focusing on Bengaluru's traffic solution in particular as it is the city it took birth ten years ago in 2007, and by solving one of the biggest daily problems being faced by Bengaluruians, it wishes to give something back to its home city courtesy which it became India's most successful e-commerce company till date.

For people considering traffic jams, gridlock situations only cause loss of precious human time, it so much more than that. It affects the country on an economic level. In Bengaluru alone, traffic jams directly cost about 2 percent from the city’s estimated GDP of $30 billion, according to an estimate given by V. Ravichandar, urban infrastructure expert and chairman at market researcher Feedback Consulting to Bloomberg. The actual cost of loss of slackened productivity, opportunity and health care caused by it can run its billions.

The contest, which closed last week, drew in more than a thousand teams from all over the world, not just India. Here are a few ideas that could put a permanent end to human's traffic misery that they have to go through unwantingly almost everyday.

Talking to Bloomberg, Akshay Rao, who works for Amazon in Seattle, has sent in his entry for the contest shared his solution. He suggests reforming the driver licensing system by creating incentives for the right road behaviour. He also proposes propagating timely information on public transport only made available to paid users.

There are several other applications suggesting incorporating the power of Internet of Things for solving the problem such as having IoT-powered road dividers that would be capable of changing orientation to handle changing traffic situations. There is also a solution proposing having a reporting system that can track vehicles that don’t comply to the road rules, a device that is capable of tracking social media to generate traffic leads and building a network of smart satellite townships that can ease the traffic flow on Bengaluru roads. There is also a suggestion for using cloud to make Bengaluru a traffic free city by helping the police in tackling traffic violators in the city and making them accountable.

The winner, which hasn't been announced yet, will get to walk away with a prize money of $5,500. But, one could say that if the contest is actually able to fix Bengaluru's traffic woes, it would be the city and its citizens who would be the real winners.

On Its 10th Anniversary ​Flipkart Tries To Solve Bengaluru's Traffic Problem​

Traffic is one of the biggest concerns of an urban life. Every time when we step outside, we say a silent prayer to the traffic gods to have a little mercy on us, but unfortunately almost every time the prayer goes unanswered. In fact, we all have spent so much time sulking through so many, non-working, faulty traffic lights one after another that almost each one of us traffic victims have come up with our own unique opinion/idea/product or service that can solve this menace once and for all. If you think your idea has got what it takes to make a city traffic free forever, then now is the time to put those ideas into practice. Indian e-commerce giant Flipkart, which turned 10 this year, has recently unveiled a Gridlock Hackathon contest through which it aims to solve Bengaluru's decades long traffic situation.

The e-commerce giant is focusing on Bengaluru for the contest as it is the city it took birth ten years ago in 2007, and by solving one of the biggest daily problems being faced by Bengaluruians, it wishes to give something back to the home city courtesy which it is India's most successful e-commerce company till date.

People interested in participating in the contest can visit Flipkart's special portal for the Gridlock Hackathon, submit the problem statement, proof of concept, supporting code or mobile app. Further, people can choose to participate individually or even in teams, with the maximum members in a team not exceeding 4. Also, participants are allowed to submit multiple entries.

The participants will even have an opportunity to discuss their ideas and seek intervention from Flipkart's tech experts.

Speaking to NDTV, Flipkart's Chief Architect, Utkarsh B said, "In our own small way we are creating an open innovation platform. People can come in, collaborate, discuss, brainstorm. And seed certain ideas that can help solve part of the problem. It could be small localised junctions like Silk Board junction, KR Puram junction - what can be done for that. Or it could be a micro problem Flipkart is invested towards."

When asked about if Flipkart is cutting its own legs by making the city traffic free, hence a shopping friendly city, Utkarsh B said, "None of the customers will be happy if the ecosystem around them is not happy. It will be a lot of gratification that we can give back to the city."

Participants are being given two weeks to put their ideas into action and make them work as Flipkart is not looking for a theoretical solution. The submissions will be stopped after this and the best entries will be shortlisted based on their impact, feasibility, scalability, and sustainability, along with the completeness. The top ten shortlisted teams will then get a chance to present their ideas to a jury who will select the top three ideas.

The top three best solutions will be presented on July 1, 2017 - and they will get to walk away with Flipkart vouchers worth Rs 2 lakhs for the first position, Rs 1 lakh for the second position and Rs 50,000 for the third position.

If traffic has taken over your daily life and you always wanted to do something about it, then now is the chance. Start working on that idea you have had since long right away.