Insights and news from the ATOM Mobility team
We started our blog to share free valuable information about the mobility industry: inspirational stories, financial analysis, marketing ideas, practical tips, new feature announcements and more.
We started our blog to share free valuable information about the mobility industry: inspirational stories, financial analysis, marketing ideas, practical tips, new feature announcements and more.
💡Want to break into the ride-hail market but don know what’s your angle and how to make yourself visible in an already packed field? Check out how InDrive, BLACWOLF, and COMIN found their unique angles to thrive in a competitive space! 🚗
The ride-hail market is crowded, fiercely competitive, and often dominated by household names like Uber and Bolt. But don’t let the giants fool you into thinking there’s no place for you. With some creative thinking and a unique angle, you can get on the road quite quickly. The secret? Finding the one thing that sets you apart from others. Let’s explore how some notable players (both veterans and newcomers) have done just that.
InDrive: A pioneer in price negotiation
🔹 Over 200M downloads, active in 700+ cities across 45+ countries
🔹 Unique feature: Set your price - Riders offer a fare, and drivers can accept or negotiate!
🔹 Drivers pay no commission, just a small monthly subscription, giving them better earnings.
🔹 Unique market entry: Initially free usage for drivers (no commission, no subscription).
Before we discuss the latest players, let’s revisit InDrive, a company that entered the market years ago with an approach that sounds almost too simple to work – offer your price.
The idea is straightforward. Instead of accepting a fixed fare, riders suggest how much they’re willing to pay. Drivers, in turn, can accept, counter, or reject the offer. It’s a dynamic that mirrors haggling at a bazaar but digitized for the modern commuter.
This model resonated. Riders felt empowered, and drivers appreciated the flexibility, especially in sensitive markets where fair pricing is a concern. InDrive rapidly scaled across emerging markets like Latin America, Russia, and Southeast Asia, regions where affordability and negotiation are cultural norms.
The takeaway here? InDrive’s “offer your price” model wasn’t just a fun gimmick, but a solution tailored to specific markets and demographics, offering fair rides to anyone who needs it. If you’re entering the ride-hail space, ask yourself: what unique cultural or social nuance can you leverage to disrupt the market in the region?
BLACWOLF: The armed and ready approach
🔹 Unique feature: Focus on rider security with armed & trained drivers 🛡️
🔹 Launched in Atlanta (2023), now expanding across Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and soon Houston, Austin, and Dallas!
🔹 Over 300K downloads in just 1.5 years.
Now, let’s fast-forward to the present and head to the U.S., where BLACWOLF has entered the scene (launched in Atlanta, 2023), now expanding across Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and soon Houston, Austin, and Dallaswith an eyebrow-raising twist: drivers who carry firearms.
BLACWOLF was launched in response to concerns over driver and passenger safety. Their USP (unique selling proposition) is ensuring peace of mind through armed drivers. As their slogan says, “We didn't reinvent ride-hailing; we just made it safer.”
As controversial as it sounds, it’s resonating in specific markets like Houston, where personal security is a priority for many.
This approach has gained traction, especially among passengers who prioritize safety or feel underserved by existing ride-hail platforms. Of course, it’s not without its challenges. Regulatory hurdles and liability concerns spring to mind; however, BLACWOLF is scaling rapidly, proving that a polarizing angle can still be a winning one.
Don’t shy away from bold ideas that cater to real pain points. Whether it’s safety, convenience, or cost, identifying an underserved need can help you stand out in a crowded market.
COMIN: France’s bid-for-ride disruptor
🔹 Unique features: Offering a fair 10% commission and Set your price feature (similar to inDrive).
🔹 Quickly onboarded 6,000 drivers, capturing 15% of the market in record time.
Over in Europe, a fresh player called COMIN is shaking things up in France. This newcomer has onboarded 6,000 drivers, taking 15% of the French market almost overnight, a feat that’s turning heads across the industry.
COMIN’s secret sauce? A bidding system that allows passengers to submit offers for rides, giving drivers the choice to accept or negotiate. Yes, it’s like InDrive, but with a hyper-local twist tailored to France’s market dynamics.
To fuel their growth, they’ve also raised €300,000 in seed funding from Station F, Europe’s largest startup incubator. By focusing on one market and perfecting their model, COMIN has avoided doing too much at once—proof that a focused approach often trumps trying to be everything to everyone.
For aspiring ride-hail entrepreneurs, COMIN serves as a case study in starting small but thinking big. Specializing in one region or demographic before expanding can help you gain traction and refine your offering.
The ride-hail market may look like a fortress, but even the strongest walls have cracks. With creativity, boldness, and the right platform to support your vision, there’s no reason you can’t break through and thrive. Are you ready?
How ATOM Mobility can help
So, you’ve got your groundbreaking idea. What’s next? To turn your vision into a reality, you’ll need a robust platform to build on—and that’s where ATOM Mobility comes in.
ATOM provides a ready-made platform for entrepreneurs looking to launch ride-hailing or mobility services. With customizable tools, seamless integrations, and scalable tech, ATOM lets you focus on your unique value proposition while we handle the backend.
Ready to make your mark in the ride-hail world? Join ATOM Mobility today and start your journey!
🚘💡 What keeps cars in car-sharing businesses connected? From CAN bus and OBD devices to cutting-edge IoT providers like Teltonika, Invers and Geotab, it’s all about the hardware!
Car sharing is more than just a trend—it’s a game-changer for urban mobility, helping people access vehicles without the headache of owning them. But what makes it all work? Let us introduce the tech behind car sharing and explore how companies like ATOM Mobility make it easier to start and scale your shared mobility business profitably.
At the heart of every car-sharing operation are three key technologies that connect vehicles to platforms: CAN bus, OBD, and OEM telematics. Here’s what they do and why they matter:
The Controller Area Network (CAN) bus acts like a car’s central nervous system, allowing different components to talk to each other. It delivers detailed data—fuel levels, battery status, or even tire pressure—directly to your car-sharing platform. This deep integration also allows remote actions like locking or starting the vehicle.
However, CAN systems require professional installation, which can mean higher upfront costs. For larger operators with fleets that need granular control and detailed diagnostics, it’s a must-have.
On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) devices are the plug-and-play heroes of car sharing. Simply connect them to the car’s diagnostic port, and you’ve got instant access to location, speed, and engine health. They’re affordable, quick to set up, and ideal for small-to-medium operators just getting started.
That said, OBD devices offer less functionality compared to CAN. They’re perfect for a more basic setup but might not suit operators who need advanced data or remote vehicle controls.
OEM telematics systems come pre-installed in many modern cars. These systems provide seamless connectivity and are highly reliable, enabling features like real-time tracking, diagnostics, and remote locking.
The downside? OEM telematics tie you to the car manufacturer’s system, which can limit customization. If your fleet is from a single brand, this is a fantastic option. For mixed-brand fleets, integrating other devices might make more sense.
Beyond these three core technologies, IoT providers offer additional tools to supercharge your car-sharing operations. Here are four standout names making waves in the industry:
WEB: https://teltonika-gps.com
Headquartered in Lithuania, Teltonika has been at the forefront of IoT since 1998. With over 1,600 employees, the company specializes in GPS trackers and other connected devices that bring real-time tracking, security, and driver behavior analysis to your fleet. Their scalable solutions are ideal for growing car-sharing businesses.
WEB: https://www.geotab.com
Based in Canada, Geotab supports over 2 million vehicles worldwide with its advanced fleet management tools. Their telematics devices don’t just track vehicles—they provide insights into fuel efficiency, maintenance needs, and safety. For operators focused on data-driven optimization, Geotab is a top choice.
WEB: https://invers.com/en/solutions/cloudboxx
Germany’s INVERS is a leader in shared mobility tech, offering the CloudBoxx device to connect vehicles with car-sharing platforms. Easy to integrate and reliable, CloudBoxx ensures a smooth experience for operators and users alike. With a strong presence in Europe and North America, INVERS is a trusted name in the industry.
WEB: https://www.acacusgroup.com
Operating out of the UAE, Acacus combines IoT and AI to deliver smart mobility solutions. Their tech is widely used in government projects and private fleets, especially in regions embracing smart cities. Acacus brings innovation and reliability to shared mobility operators aiming for cutting-edge solutions.
Technology is only as good as the platform that connects it all. That’s where ATOM Mobility shines.
ATOM’s software integrates seamlessly with devices from Teltonika, Geotab, INVERS, and others, making it simple to connect your fleet and manage everything from a single dashboard. No matter the size of your operation, ATOM provides tools for real-time tracking, user management, and secure payments—all with intuitive design and full support.
Whether you’re launching your first car-sharing fleet or expanding across multiple cities, ATOM helps you scale profitably and with confidence. We make the technical stuff easy so you can focus on growing your business.
Urban living is changing. People are moving away from car ownership, opting instead for flexible, on-demand solutions like car sharing. It’s convenient, cost-effective, and kinder to the planet.
With tech like CAN, OBD, OEM telematics, and IoT devices driving the industry forward, the potential for shared mobility is enormous. But to succeed, operators need the right tools to manage fleets, optimize performance, and deliver a great user experience.
Ready to start your car-sharing journey? Book a demo with ATOM Mobility and let’s get moving!
🔧 🚗 Simplify fleet management with automation! ATOM Mobility’s latest Task Automation feature creates maintenance tasks automatically, so you can focus on growth instead of scheduling. From mileage-based services to feedback-triggered check-ups, this tool has your fleet covered.
Automating fleet management with ATOM Mobility: The future of task automation
Managing a fleet comes with many moving parts—from ensuring vehicles are serviced regularly to addressing feedback and operational needs. ATOM Mobility’s new Task Automation feature optimizes this process by automatically creating tasks based on each vehicle’s real-time parameters, such as mileage, time, user feedback, and ride count. This allows fleet operators to focus on strategic growth while routine maintenance and issue resolution become automated. Here’s how this feature could make fleet operations smoother, efficient, and more scalable for shared mobility and rental businesses.
ATOM Mobility’s Task Automation feature builds on its ongoing focus to simplify fleet management. This new addition enables operators to automate task creation based on specific vehicle metrics, reducing manual effort and enhancing overall fleet efficiency.
The idea is brilliantly simple: instead of creating tasks manually (which can be tedious and time-consuming), this tool will automatically create tasks for you based on pre-set conditions.
With Task Automation, you can set specific parameters that will trigger task creation, such as mileage, ride count, ratings, or time. Picture this: every 5,000 kilometers driven, the system can automatically create a “Tire Check” task. Or if a specific vehicle receives user ratings below two stars, a “Low user review, check up required” task can be triggered. This approach to task generation not only saves valuable time but also ensures that vehicles receive consistent care based on real usage and performance, not guessing.
Setting up Task Automation in ATOM Mobility’s dashboard is designed to be as seamless as possible. The process essentially boils down to three simple steps:
Once everything’s set, the system will keep track of these parameters for each vehicle, ensuring that when a trigger is met, a task will be created automatically and added to the dashboard. You’ll have everything you need to keep each vehicle in tip-top shape without manual oversight.
It’s no secret that keeping up with fleet maintenance can be a full-time job—and then some. Task Automation is built to give you time back in your day and enhance fleet health without excessive manual work. Here’s how it shines:
To illustrate how powerful Task Automation can be, here are some scenarios where it could make a real difference for fleet operators:
For any business with a growing fleet, Task Automation provides a clear advantage. By using parameters to generate tasks, you can scale up without needing additional manpower just to manage scheduling. As your fleet grows, Task Automation scales with you, handling more vehicles and keeping you updated on the health and performance of each.
Think of it as a maintenance manager that grows alongside your fleet without increasing your operational costs. It’s no longer about manually checking every vehicle at every mile marker; it’s about letting the system manage maintenance alerts while you keep your attention on strategic growth.
Setting up Task Automation is straightforward, but don’t hesitate to ask ATOM Mobility’s team for more detailed guidance. Here’s a quick overview to get you started:
ATOM Mobility’s commitment to innovation means we’re constantly updating our features to make fleet management more efficient and automated. Task Automation isn’t just a convenience—it’s an opportunity to elevate how you manage and grow your fleet in a sustainable way. With automation taking care of repetitive tasks, your team can focus on what really matters: delivering an outstanding experience to every rider.
The shared mobility industry is moving faster than ever, and staying competitive means embracing tools that make operations smoother and more efficient. ATOM Mobility’s Task Automation feature is a game-changer that brings automation to the forefront, allowing operators to focus on high-impact work while leaving routine tasks to the platform.
Whether you manage a fleet of e-bikes, scooters, or vehicles, automated maintenance can streamline your operations, prevent issues before they arise, and let your team work smarter, not harder.
Explore more about ATOM Mobility’s fleet management solutions on their blog and discover other products that can help you on your way to creating a micromobility fleet!
🚀 Ready to explore the future of travel and mobility? Here are the top 2024 (Q4) events for business owners and those looking to enter the mobility space! Don’t miss these opportunities to connect, learn, and meet ATOM Mobility team💡
ATOM Mobility will be attending three major events that focus on micro-mobility, car rental and taxi industry. We’re looking forward to making new connections, meeting potential partners, and showing how our platform can revolutionize shared mobility. Here’s where we’ll be and why you should join us!
World Travel Market (WTM) London 2024
WTM London is one of the biggest events in the travel and tourism industry, but it’s not just for travel enthusiasts! There’s a growing focus on sustainable urban mobility, making it an exciting event for businesses in the micro-mobility and vehicle-sharing space.
With industry leaders from all over the world, this is a fantastic chance to network and learn about how mobility is becoming a key part of travel experiences.
EU Taximesse 2024
The EU Taximesse is Europe’s top event for taxi and ride-hailing services, but it's not just about taxis anymore. This event is also a great place to explore new mobility technologies, including vehicle-sharing and fleet management solutions. If you’re working in or alongside these industries, this is the event to check out.
Micromobility America 2024
If you’re into micro-mobility, is the event to be at! Taking place in California, this event brings together industry leaders, startups, and city planners to discuss the latest trends in urban transportation. From e-scooters to e-bikes, it's a hub for everything micro-mobility. We’re excited to be attending this event to explore how cities can build smarter, greener transport solutions. Whether you're a startup, an investor, or a city planner, we'd love to connect and discuss how we can collaborate to transform urban mobility.
Why are these events a must, if you’re working in the field?
Connect with industry leaders: These events are the perfect place to meet key players in the mobility industry. Let’s chat and see how we can work together to drive innovation in micro-mobility and vehicle-sharing.
Discover the latest trends: Stay ahead of the curve by learning about the newest technologies and business models shaping the future of transportation.
Grow your business: Whether you’re a startup looking for partners or an established company aiming to expand, these events offer incredible opportunities for collaboration.
Shall we meet?
Are you planning to attend any of these events? Reach out to us – we can’t wait to connect!
Don’t miss out on these amazing mobility events in the last quarter of 2024! Whether you're in Cologne, London, or California, these events offer an unbeatable chance to learn, network, and explore the future of urban transportation.
🚀 Want to boost your fleet’s profit? By teaming up with other businesses and trying new B2B ideas, you can generate more revenue and streamline your operations. Explore some interesting B2B revenue-generating ideas!
In the ever-evolving shared mobility industry, diversifying revenue streams is essential for long-term stability and growth. At ATOM Mobility, we are committed to equipping operators with a robust SaaS platform that not only keeps your business running efficiently but also adapts to new challenges. By exploring B2B opportunities within the shared mobility space, you can expand your use-case and tap into new revenue possibilities. Harness the power of our SaaS platform alongside your innovative ideas to unlock fresh opportunities and foster sustainable growth.
Are you ready to supercharge your fleet revenue? The traditional routes are great, but sometimes it’s time to think outside the box—or rather, outside the vehicle. Let’s explore how expanding your use-case to B2B can drive revenue within the shared mobility sector.
What is B2B in Mobility?
Shared mobility often conjures images of B2C operations where individuals rent or share vehicles, B2B mobility represents a different approach. In this model, services are specifically designed for use by members of corporations, organizations or communities (business-to-business).
For instance, a hotel might offer scooters for guests to explore the area, or a company could provide employees with discounted access to shared vehicles for business trips or commuting. These examples highlight B2B mobility, where a shared mobility operator partners with a business or organization. This collaboration not only generates financial benefits for both parties but also helps companies reduce their carbon footprint and creates new revenue streams for mobility operators.
Here are some creative ideas to enhance your fleet revenue through innovative B2B partnerships and new opportunities:
Franchising
In shared mobility, a common franchising approach involves operators partnering with other mobility providers, allowing them to operate under your brand and software. In this model, the franchisor provides a comprehensive operating system, including its brand, products, services, and operational framework. This offers a turnkey solution for managing a shared mobility business. Franchisees receive extensive support, such as site selection, development guidance, operational manuals, training, marketing strategies, and ongoing business advisory services.
Leverage ATOM Mobility's dashboard subaccount system to grant Franchisees access restricted to their specific operations and the fleet you assign, enabling your partners to efficiently manage vehicle sharing or digital rental operations under your brand.
Explore corporate fleet solutions
Many businesses are on the lookout for reliable, scalable fleet solutions for their corporate needs. By positioning your fleet as an ideal solution for corporate transportation, you can open up new revenue streams. For example, you can partner with a larger company and allow their employees to use your fleet at a special price during working days. At the same time, the company can assign different mobility budgets to various employee groups to use in your app. In such cases, the company, your partner, will cover the rides of their employees at specially agreed rates.
Check out our corporate account management for more insights on how to get started. Businesses often need transportation solutions for employee commutes, client visits, and even business trips. Tap into this need, and you’ll see your fleet revenue soar.
There are two core cooperation models with larger companies:
- Allowing their employees to use publicly available vehicles at specific times via your app, with all rides covered by the company.
- Dedicating, and potentially branding, a portion of your fleet for a specific company, making it available exclusively to them and their employees. In this model, you provide the support, software, and maintenance, ensuring that this fleet is accessible only to that company.
Join forces with local hotspots
By teaming up with local cafés, retail stores, or entertainment venues, you can offer special promotions to their customers. It’s a win-win! Local businesses get more foot traffic, and you get a steady stream of new riders or renters. This works very well in micro-mobility.
For example, you could offer a discount on vehicle rentals to patrons of a local restaurant or provide shuttle services for events at a nearby theater. Plus, it’s a great way to make your fleet a local celebrity!
Dive into delivery and logistics sector
With the explosion of e-commerce, there’s a significant opportunity in the delivery and logistics sector. You can partner with online retailers or local businesses in need of delivery services, offering either a full-service solution, including delivery, or simply leasing vehicles to them.
By providing dedicated delivery solutions or offering special rates for bulk deliveries, you can tap into a lucrative market and scale from there. Your fleet can become the preferred delivery solution for online shops and local stores, increasing your revenue while keeping your vehicles in constant use.
Create exclusive tourist packages
Tourism is another goldmine for fleet revenue. Collaborate with travel agencies, hotels, or tourist attractions to offer exclusive transportation packages. Imagine a package deal where tourists get a ride to all the must-see spots in town with a single booking. It’s convenient for tourists and profitable for you!
For inspiration on how to cater to tourist destinations, check out our Vehicle Fleet Owners’ Guide to Tourist Destinations.
Leverage event partnerships
Events, from corporate conferences to local festivals, are perfect opportunities for fleet revenue growth. Partner with event organizers to provide shuttle services, VIP transport, or event-specific rentals.
You could also offer branded vehicles as part of the event experience. Imagine your fleet driving event-goers around town, all while being seen by thousands of potential new customers.
Offer vehicle subscription services
Subscription services are on the rise. Why not offer a vehicle subscription model where businesses can subscribe to access a variety of vehicles based on their needs? This model can provide steady, predictable revenue and attract customers who prefer flexibility over long-term commitments.
ATOM Mobility’s private fleet options can easily be adapted to fit a subscription model. Learn more about our private fleet solutions to see how this could work for you.
To ensure your new B2B offering is successful, follow this easy five-step process for each new B2B revenue direction you want to test:
- Identify partners: Research and reach out to businesses that could benefit from your B2B offering. At this stage, presentations and text will be sufficient, and the main goal is to collect feedback and gauge interest.
- Customize services: Based on the feedback collected, tailor your offerings to meet each partner's specific needs and address their pain points for better value. This is a good time to sign an agreement with them.
- Set up the platform: Ensure your technology and fleet are ready for B2B. Partner with experts like ATOM Mobility for seamless technical support and easy onboarding.
- Run a pilot: Test your approach with small-scale pilots to gather feedback, assess the financial model, and improve your solution.
- Scale up: Once pilots succeed, expand to new partners and regions using the insights gained.
Ready to boost your revenue?
There’s a whole world of opportunities out there to enhance your shared fleet revenue through creative partnerships and innovative B2B solutions. At ATOM Mobility, we’re here to help you explore these exciting possibilities and take your fleet to the next level.
Ready to get started? Join ATOM Mobility today and discover how you can create a fleet that’s not just functional but also profitable. Let’s drive innovation and success together!