Drones, trams and shared, connected, autonomous automobiles up for discussion at T-Tech

This story first appeared in the April issue of AutoTalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

If you’re reading EVTalk the chances are you’re interested in the future of transport, you’ve already made a change to your transport options or you’re about to.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are part of the future of transport but they’re only the tip of the rapidly melting iceberg.

The transformation of transport is here, whether you recognise it or not, and the pace of change is creating challenges.

Intelligent Transport Systems New Zealand (ITS NZ), is an organisation which seeks to drive the future transport conversation in New Zealand.

Judging by interest in our T-Tech Future Transport Conference, the conversation is more important now than ever.

Take the example of shared electric scooters and bikes, the Limes, Blips, Jumps, etc, which have only been in the country a little more than six months.

The benefits of micromobility as a clean, practical last-mile solution are clear, but without a doubt they’re also disruptive.

They are creating debates and polarising opinion because the infrastructure isn’t ready, the user behaviours are untested and they’re relatively unregulated.

Shared scooters are only the beginning of a wave micromobility predicted by Horace Dediu, keynote speaker at T-Tech.

Dediu is a globally recognised tech analyst turned transport watcher who is the world’s leading authority on emerging urban mobility that he has coined “micromobility”.

Data-focused, his presentation will crunch the numbers to demonstrate why the last mile is ripe for disruption and is attracting investment from Ford, Uber, and hundreds of start-ups.

So, ban these new modes of transport and lose the benefits or research, trial, legislate, build and adapt?

Consider this disruptive experience when we’re trialing fleets of shared, connected, cars or autonomous buses, trackless trams or drones.

The T-tech programme explores all these emerging technologies, with an aim to inform and drive discussion.

The pollution, congestion, and road accidents that they can solve are costing New Zealand billions already, so we need to critically examine how to access the benefits and better understand what is required to introduce them safely and effectively.

In developing the T-Tech conference programme we asked the industry for their brightest ideas and latest research and have secured experts and CEOs from transport and infrastructure industries, academia and several examples of innovative companies who’re building and trialing solutions.

We have more than 40 speakers across two days.

Companies represented include innovators such as Uber, Yoogo, Ohmio, Christchurch International Airport as well as Zephyr Airworks the company backed by Google’s Larry Page that is trialing Cora Aero, their autonomous flying taxis, here in New Zealand.

(Cora Aero made their first global announcement in conjunction with the T-Tech Conference in 2018.)

In addition, presentations will come from central and local government including Ministry of Transport and NZTA, explaining their strategies that will guide and shape uptake of new technologies here in New Zealand.

This year’s event is in Christchurch, where starting afresh with a rebuild following the tragic earthquakes has helped it become New Zealand’s leading Smart City.

If your business will be affected by the transformation of transport, we encourage you to attend.

T-Tech is at the newly reopened Christchurch Townhall on May 6-7 with tickets starting at $799.

Visit www.itsnz.org for more information or to register.