Introducing the 2021 IRF Start-up Label Winner: ASIMOB
One of the IRF’s goals is to support impactful mobility start-ups by helping them build trust with their stakeholders, and one way we do so is through the IRF Start-up Label. After a thorough assessment process by the members of the IRF Executive Committee, IRF announced this week during the ITS World Congress in Hamburg, the winner for the 2021 Edition of the IRF Start-up Label: ASIMOB.
In a nutshell, ASIMOB automates visual road inspections tasks to help maintenance teams in their everyday work. Its lightweight solution uses IoT and AI to detect incidences and help keep any type of road in the safest possible condition.
Some of the criteria taken into consideration for the final decision included: the impact on IRF’s key fields of action, environmental and social impacts, and level of innovation among others. Because we were astonished ourselves with their application, product and their overall identity, today we would like you to learn more about them too.
We asked the ASIMOB team some questions about their product and what they are trying to solve, but most importantly, from where the true essence of ASIMOB comes. Here is what we got:
1. Could you tell us in a few words what ASIMOB stands for, and what is the problem you are trying to solve?
ASIMOB is a startup company focused on the road maintenance sector, and the crucial role it plays for keeping roads as safe as possible. We believe all roads should benefit from new technologies, so we have developed an 'autonomous road inspector' as a tool to improve road monitoring and maintenance and reduce the number and severity of traffic crashes. Our system collects data and video from vehicles (which can be dedicated to other tasks) and applies Computer Vision and Data Analytics on the cloud in order to detect automatically incidences on the road (irregularities on the pavement, changes in signals, degradation in lane markings...). We improve the efficiency of the daily maintenance works and help to increase road safety.
2. What are the main challenges you are facing at the moment in your market?
Our main challenge is to raise awareness about the possibility of using technology as an affordable and flexible way to optimise daily road maintenance work. We need Public Authorities and maintenance companies to know that this type of solution exists, and that is applicable and feasible not only for highways but also for secondary roads. In fact, our solution is especially useful for the secondary roads, which are normally the deadliest ones.
3. We would like to know now more about the team. How was ASIMOB born, and why is your team the perfect fit for the solution you propose?
ASIMOB was founded in 2016 with Ibon and Beñat developing the first prototypes. They provide their expertise in digital transformation and software development. Other partners contribute with their expertise in Marketing, Laws and Business Development. Finally, Esti joined the project in 2019, providing her experience in an international company in the Intelligent Transportation Systems sector. We combine the knowledge of technology and the sector together with a passion for innovation.
4. What are your expectations as an IRF Start-up Label Winner?
We hope to raise awareness among Public Administrations and contribute, through new technologies and digital transformation, to the improvement of road maintenance and reduction of road casualties.
5. Where do you see ASIMOB in 10 years?
In 10 years ASIMOB will provide the autonomous road inspector in roads worldwide, helping toward the Vision Zero goal. And we will also have developed the system to check if a road can be used by level 4 or level 5 autonomous vehicles.
Estibaliz Barañano
General Manager at ASIMOB
Ibon Arechalde
President at ASIMOB
Beñat López
CTO at ASIMOB
Latest News
THE FIA SMART CITIES GLOBAL START-UP CONTEST AND IRF’S NEW START-UP LABEL JOIN FORCES TO SUPPORT INNOVATION IN MOBILITY
The International Road Federation (IRF) and its new Start-Up Label will collaborate with the FIA Smart Cities Global Start-Up Contest to identify and support start-ups with high impact potential to accelerate innovation in the mobility sector across the world.
Created in 2017 as part of the FIA Smart Cities initiative aiming to help cities define new models for more sustainable urban mobility, the FIA Smart Cities Global Start-Up Contest selects each year 18 finalists and four winners among promising mobility-focused start-ups from the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Powered by MassChallenge, it gives the finalists a platform to grow their network and visibility by connecting them to key mobility stakeholders in multinational corporates, government, and public institutions.
For the Season 5 of the Contest, the IRF will give the finalists an exclusive opportunity to obtain its new Start-Up Label designed to support high-potential mobility start-ups, help them showcase their credibility, and further build trust with their clients, investors, and employees.
As a jury member, the IRF will contribute to select the Contest winners but also identify the participating start-up(s) that will be awarded with the IRF Start-Up Label. In doing so, the IRF will pay a special attention to start-ups focusing on innovations in the areas of road financing and economics; intelligent transportation systems (ITS); cooperative, connected and automated mobility (CCAM); and road safety, road efficiency and sustainability.
Laureates of the IRF Start-up Label will benefit from IRF’s official endorsement for three consecutive years. During the first year, they will gain professional mentoring on a topic of their choice provided by IRF experts. Start-ups will also be invited to participate in IRF networking events, providing them exposure to relevant stakeholders. During the second and third year, the IRF will assist with bespoke actions aligned with start-ups' priorities.
"We are excited about this initiative and delighted to work with the FIA to get closer to the start-up community. Innovation is a key aspect of the mobility sector, and we want to help start-ups with novel ideas to exploit their value proposition to the maximum, and achieve the best possible market fit,"
IRF President, Bill Halkias
“This Label represents an excellent complement to the FIA Smart Cities Global Start-Up Contest. It offers entrepreneurs support to further develop and accelerate the adoption of their innovative ideas for a safer, more sustainable and inclusive urban mobility,”
FIA President, Jean Todt
IRF Start-up Label
"We support innovation by fostering trust"
IRF launches a new Start-up Label
The International Road Federation (IRF) is proud to announce the launch of a Start-up Label to support innovation within the mobility sector. This initiative reflects one of IRF's core principles of fostering innovation and progress by providing access to cutting-edge knowledge and expertise.
The IRF Start-up Label is designed to support mobility start-ups with high impact potential by helping them showcase their credibility and sustain trust with their clients, investors and employees.
To obtain the label, start-ups will go through an in-depth assessment process. An IRF expert panel will assess each start-up application to determine whether the company can create a significant impact in terms of innovation, safety, efficiency, sustainability and evaluate the viability of their business model. Start-ups must be involved in at least one of the following areas of action:
- road safety, road efficiency and sustainability.
- intelligent transportation systems (ITS),
- cooperative, connected and automated mobility (CCAM),
- road financing and economics,
Laureates of the IRF Start-up Label will benefit from IRF’s official endorsement for three consecutive years. During the 1st year, they will gain professional mentoring on a topic of their choice provided by IRF experts. Start-ups will also be invited to participate in IRF networking events, providing them exposure to their relevant audiences. During the 2nd and 3rd year, IRF will assist with bespoke actions aligned with start-ups' priorities.
We are excited about this initiative that brings IRF closer to the needs of the start-up community. Innovation is a key aspect in the mobility sector, and we want to help start-ups to exploit their value proposition to the maximum and achieve the best possible market fit.
IRF President - Bill M. Halkias
