Major Automakers, Startups, Technology Companies and Others Launch Mobility Open Blockchain Initiative (MOBI)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, May 2, 2018 (Newswire.com) - MOBI, the Mobility Open Blockchain Initiative, today announced its formation to explore blockchain for use in a new digital mobility ecosystem that could make transportation safer, more affordable, and more widely accessible. MOBI is actively working with companies accounting for over 70% of global vehicle production in terms of the market share. MOBI and partners, including, BMW, Bosch, Ford, General Motors, Groupe Renault, ZF, Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Services USA and others seek to foster an ecosystem where businesses and consumers have security and sovereignty over their driving data, manage ride-share and car-share transactions, and store vehicle identity and usage information.

Blockchain technology operates by distributing information to a network of independent computers and ensuring that transactions are secure and data privacy, ownership rights, and integrity are protected. Working in a consortium allows MOBI and partners to create transparency and trust among users, reduce risk of fraud, and reduce frictions and transaction costs in mobility, such as fees or surcharges applied by third-parties.

Blockchain and related trust enhancing technologies are poised to redefine the automotive industry and how consumers purchase, insure and use vehicles. By bringing together automakers, suppliers, startups, and government agencies, we can accelerate adoption for the benefit of businesses, consumers and communities.

Chris Ballinger, CEO, MOBI

Chris Ballinger, former Chief Financial Officer and Director of Mobility Services at Toyota Research Institute, is joining MOBI as Chairman and CEO to coordinate this initiative and use blockchain to create a more open platform where users, owners, mobility service companies, and infrastructure providers can better control and monetize their assets, including their data.

“Blockchain and related trust enhancing technologies are poised to redefine the automotive industry and how consumers purchase, insure and use vehicles,” said Ballinger. “By bringing together automakers, suppliers, startups, and government agencies, we can accelerate adoption for the benefit of businesses, consumers and communities.”

Through an open-source approach to blockchain software tools and standards, the MOBI consortium hopes to stimulate more rapid and scalable adoption of the technology by other companies developing autonomous vehicle and mobility services. MOBI is pleased to connect a majority of global mobility providers with blockchain innovators as well as government and non-government agencies, and institutions to collaborate on the development of blockchain-enabled vehicle data and mobility services applications.

MOBI’s approach to ecosystem development is open and inclusive, inviting stakeholders from across the entire mobility value chain and helps to establish a “minimum viable network”. This includes Automakers, public transportation, toll road providers, other forms of transportation, technology firms, blockchain firms, academic institutions, startup innovators, and regulatory bodies across the globe – all designed to further the MOBI’s mission.

Joining Chris Ballinger as co-founders and serving on the initial Board of Directors are Ashley Lannquist from Blockchain at Berkeley and David Luce, a veteran technology leader. Dan Harple, internet pioneer and CEO of Context Labs, Brian Behlendorf, Executive Director of Hyperledger, and Jamie Burke, CEO of Outlier Ventures, join MOBI’s Board of Advisors, which will grow to include advisors needed to ensure MOBI achieves its goals.

Initially, MOBI will be working with its partners on projects related to:

·       Vehicle identity, history and data tracking

·       Supply chain tracking, transparency, and efficiency

·       Autonomous machine and vehicle payments

·       Secure mobility ecosystem commerce

·       Data markets for autonomous and human driving

·       Car sharing and ride hailing

·       Usage-based mobility pricing for vehicles, insurance, energy, congestion, pollution, infrastructure, etc.

MOBI and its partners announced their collaboration today at the Future Blockchain Summit.

MOBI’s partners announcing today include: Accenture, Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Services USA, Beyond Protocol Inc, BigChainDB, Blockchain at Berkeley, BMW, Chronicled, Context Labs, Crypto Valley Association, Dashride, Deon Digital AG, Digital Twin Labs, DOVU, Fetch, Foam, Ford, General Motors, Hyperledger, IBM, IOTA Foundation, MotionWerk, NuCypher, Oaken Innovation, Ocean Protocol, Outlier Ventures, Renault, Ride Austin, Shift, Spherical Analytics, Trusted IoT Alliance, Vasily, VeChain, Xain, ConsenSys, and ZF Friedrichshafen AG.

“We believe blockchain will transform the way people and businesses interact, creating new opportunities in mobility. We look forward to working together with our industry colleagues as part of MOBI to set the standards for the mobility ecosystem of tomorrow.” – Rich Strader, Vice President, Mobility Product Solutions, Ford Motor Corporation

“Bosch is thrilled to be involved in this initiative to get nearer to its vision for a safer and more transparent connected future of the Mobility Industry!” - Peter Busch, Distributed Ledger Technologies Automotive

“Blockchain technology is by essence decentralized, and its full potential needs to be assessed by working in an open ecosystem. That is why, it is natural for Groupe Renault to take part of the MOBI consortium. This consortium will be a great opportunity to share and learn about the possibilities that can be opened by the Distributed Ledger Technology, applied to the automotive ecosystem. Ultimately, we aim to work together to define future standards and use-cases that will make an easier everyday life for our customers.” - Sophie Schmidtlin, Alliance Global Director for Advanced Engineering, Groupe Renault

“As one of the world’s leading companies for automotive technologies, ZF is constantly pushing to make mobility more efficient and convenient. In taking part in the Mobility Open Blockchain Initiative, we can drive benefit for our customers by developing secure and efficient customer solutions for the future autonomous mobility,” says Arwed Niestroj, Vice President, Global Innovation Hubs and Digital Transformation at ZF.

“From the handling of vehicle ID numbers and collision histories to the complex supply chains that lead to assembly lines and dealerships, blockchain offers new levels of data security and transparency,” said Accenture Managing Director and Industrial and Automotive Innovation Lead Teodoro Lio. “Industry leaders are just beginning to understand the unique characteristics of this technology and its diverse forms. This forum will help put them on the leading edge of blockchain’s possibilities to improve industry efficiencies, safety controls and the overall transportation experience.”

“Our collaboration with Chris Ballinger and MOBI’s founding team has integrated key structural and governance elements from the MIT-researched Pentalytics modeling we deployed in the co-founding of the Open Music Initiative (open-music.org), which brought together over 250 leading global stakeholders pursuing interoperability and transparency in their industry. MOBI’s model further offers great potential for accelerated market adoption of transformative blockchain-enabled technologies,” said Dan Harple, Internet pioneer and CEO of Context Labs.

“A set of blockchain standards for the mobility industry will allow auto, infrastructure and service providers to efficiently communicate and transact with each other. Bringing the industry together and building interoperable blockchain networks is key to helping the automotive industry unleash the potential of blockchain. IBM is contributing our expertise in building blockchain consortia to the group to help accelerate development and ultimately benefit consumers.” - Sachin Lulla, Vice President & Partner, IBM Automotive Industry Leader.

“We’re pleased to be a part of MOBI and collaborating with industry leaders on the development of blockchain-enabled vehicle data and mobility services applications and systems,” said Brian Behlendorf, executive director of Hyperledger. “We look forward to working together with this community to create transparency and trust among users, as well as reduce risk of fraud and transaction costs in mobility with open distributed ledger technologies.”

“At ConsenSys, we are dedicated to building the Ethereum ecosystem and are committed to supporting new use cases across all industries. As one of our first ventures into the automotive industry, we’re excited to support MOBI’s exploration and development of blockchain solutions that will enable all parties in the automotive supply chain to benefit from digitization and the seamless exchange of data and immutability of their records.” – Joseph Lubin, Founder of ConsenSys & Co-Founder of Ethereum

“After more than a year of discussions, it is encouraging to see a global industry gather around blockchain technology and begin to lay the groundwork for the future of mobility. We are excited for the opportunities that lie ahead as a member of MOBI and as a team will continue to work on implementations and applications that allow us to apply our unique skill set and knowledge in an industry we are passionate about.” – John Gerryts, CEO, Oaken Innovation

About MOBI

MOBI is a newly created nonprofit foundation formed to accelerate adoption and to promote standards in blockchain, distributed ledgers, and related technologies for the benefit of the mobility industry, consumers, and communities. MOBI and our partners are creating simple, standard and digital ways of identifying cars, people, and trips, of paying for mobility services, and securely exchanging and monetizing data in ways that preserve property rights and privacy.

MOBI is working with most of the world’s large automakers and many mobility ecosystem players, along with many startups, nonprofits, governments, transit agencies, and technology companies. We are convinced that by working together we can make mobility services more efficient, affordable, greener, safer and less congested.

MOBI is an open, inclusive body that acts as a ‘trusted convener’ and partner to entities in the emerging ecosystem of pay for use, on demand, connected, and increasingly autonomous mobility services. MOBI itself is technology and ledger agnostic.

Media Contact: David Luce

Email: connect@dlt.mobi | Website: www.dlt.mobi | Twitter: @mobi_connect | Tel: 1-510-969-6284

About The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 30 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2017, the BMW Group sold over 2,463,500 passenger vehicles and more than 164,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2017 was € 10.655 billion on revenues amounting to € 98.678 billion. As of 31 December 2017, the BMW Group had a workforce of 129,932 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

Media Contact: Michael Ortmeier 

Email: michael.ortmeier@bmw.de | Tel: +49-89-382-51344

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford employs approximately 202,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company:

Media Contact: Hampton, Karen 

Email: khampto2@ford.com | Website: www.corporate.ford.com

About General Motors

General Motors is a global company committed to delivering safer, better and more sustainable ways for people to get around. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Cadillac, Chevrolet, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety and security services, and Maven, its personal mobility brand, can be found at http://www.gm.com.

Media Contact: Patrick Sullivan

Email: patrick.1.sullivan@gm.com | Website: www.gm.com | Twitter: @psullivan85 | Tel: 1-734-255-4341

About Groupe Renault

Groupe Renault has been making cars since 1898. Today it is an international multi-brand group, selling close to 3.76 million vehicles in 134 countries in 2017, with 36 manufacturing sites, 12,700 points of sales and employing more than 180,000 people. To meet the major technological challenges of the future and continue its strategy of profitable growth, the Group is harnessing its international growth and the complementary fit of its five brands, Renault, Dacia and Renault Samsung Motors, Alpine and LADA, together with electric vehicles and the unique Alliance with Nissan and Mitsubishi. With a new team in Formula 1 and a strong commitment to Formula E, Renault sees motorsport as a vector of innovation and brand awareness.

Media Contact: Lucia Chavez

Email: lucia.chavez-paz@renault.com | Website: www.renault.com  

About ZF Friedrichshafen AG

ZF is a global leader in driveline and chassis technology as well as active and passive safety technology. The company has a global workforce of around 137,000 with approximately 230 locations in some 40 countries. In 2016, ZF achieved sales of €35.2 billion. ZF annually invests about six percent of its sales in research & development – ensuring continued success through the design and engineering of innovative technologies. ZF is one of the largest automotive suppliers worldwide.

ZF allows vehicles to see, think and act. With its technologies, the company is striving for Vision Zero – a world of mobility without accidents and emissions. With its broad portfolio, ZF is advancing mobility and services in the automobile, truck and industrial technology sectors. For photo material and further press information please visit: www.zf.com

Media Contact: Corina Tews, Head of Digitalization Communications, ZF Friedrichshafen AG

Email: corina.tews@zf.com | Website: Above | Tel: +49 7541 77-8238

About Accenture

Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries and all business functions – underpinned by the world’s largest delivery network – Accenture works at the intersection of business and technology to help clients improve their performance and create sustainable value for their stakeholders. With approximately 442,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture drives innovation to improve the way the world works and lives. Visit us at www.accenture.com.

Media Contact: Sean K. Conway, Managing Director - Media/Analyst Relations - Financial Services, Blockchain, Accenture

Email: sean.k.conway@accenture.com | Website: Above | Tel: +1 917 452 7116

About Context Labs

Context Labs, with offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts; and Amsterdam, The Netherlands, provides enterprise-grade platform solutions that provide trust and transparency for all things digital and physical. Context Labs develops solutions that utilize blockchain technology to build confidence and trust with partners and consumers, transforming supply chain ecosystems. The company achieves this by delivering platform innovation integrating secure distributed and shared ledgers (Blockchain), network graph analytics and visualizations, machine learning, data interoperability and trusted identity management. The platform consists of several core components - Chainplate Foundation™, Snapshackle Interoperability™ and VUEgraph Analytics™ and product solutions - Immutably™, Proofworks™, Scrivener™, Impact Analytics™, and blockchain ecosystem consulting. Enabling the Supply Chain of Everything.

Email: press@contextlabs.com | Website: www.contextlabs.com | Twitter: @contextlabsbv | Tel: 1 617 902 0932

About Hyperledger

Hyperledger is an open source collaborative effort created to advance cross-industry blockchain technologies. It is a global collaboration including leaders in finance, banking, Internet of Things, supply chains, manufacturing and Technology. The Linux Foundation hosts Hyperledger under the foundation. To learn more, visit:

https://www.hyperledger.org

Media Contact: Jessica Rampen

Email: jrampen@linuxfoundation.org | Website: Above | Tel: 650-787-4538

About ConsenSys

ConsenSys is a global formation of technologists and entrepreneurs building the infrastructure, applications, and practices that enable a decentralized world. At the core, ConsenSys is a venture production studio and blockchain software development consultancy creating decentralized applications (DApps), enterprise solutions and developer tools for blockchain ecosystems, focused primarily on Ethereum. The ConsenSys “hub” coordinates, incubates, accelerates, and spawns “spoke” ventures through development, resource sharing, investments and the formation of joint ventures. Powered by smart contracts and secured through encryption, our solutions provide the benefits of transparency, auditability, and immutability that are unique to blockchain-based solutions.

Email: pr@consensys.net | Website:
http://www.consensys.net | Twitter: @ConsenSys

About IBM

IBM is recognized as the leading enterprise blockchain provider. The company’s research, technical and business experts have broken barriers in transaction processing speeds, developed the most advanced cryptography to secure transactions, and are contributing millions of lines of open source code to advance blockchain for businesses. IBM is the leader in open-source blockchain solutions built for the enterprise. Since 2016, IBM has worked with hundreds of clients across financial services, supply chain, government, retail, digital rights management and healthcare to implement blockchain applications, and operates a number of networks running live and in production. The cloud-based IBM Blockchain Platform delivers the end-to-end capabilities that clients need to quickly activate and successfully develop, operate, govern and secure their own business networks. IBM is an early member of Hyperledger, an open source collaborative effort created to advance cross-industry blockchain technologies. For more information about IBM Blockchain, visit https://www.ibm.com/blockchain or follow us on Twitter at @ibmblockchain.

Media Contact: Jeannine Kilbride, IBM Media Relations

Email: jkilbri@us.ibm.com | Website: Above | Tel: 1 (860) 997-6277

Source: MOBI (Mobility Open Blockchain Initiative)