ATOM Mobility launches a unique product - micromobility academy
February 28, 2022
min. read
ATOM mobility, the company that helps to build a micromobility business, has just launched the ATOM Academy. The goal is to educate people, who are willing to start a business in this specific field or improve operations.
“The whole idea of ATOM is to provide more than just software. And the ATOM Academy is one step closer to the goal. We want to educate our customers, as well as provide them with an understanding of what is available out there and how all these technologies can help them to be more efficient in their business,” says Jürgen Sahtel, Head of the ATOM Academy.
The content is based on extensive knowledge of various industry leaders as well as ATOM's own insights from operating the first scooter-sharing business in Riga, Latvia. Moreover, during the process of creating the academy program, ATOM interviewed its customer base so it got valuable feedback about what its customers would be interested in. However, the focus is on topics that could save customers time and money in this business.
Help for beginners, valuable at any stage
At first, the idea was that the ATOM Academy would be a great help to ATOM customers. Most of them are at a very early stage - they buy software and hardware from the manufacturer. However, maybe they still don’t know exactly how to run this business. The ATOM Academy is there to help them figure it out: “There are situations in which entrepreneurially-minded people visit a city and see scooters. Then they go back to their city and decide that vehicle sharing should also be available in their small community. So how can they make this happen? In most cases, they don't know anything about procedures or best practices or what is actually needed to make this scenario a reality. The ATOM Academy is intended to help with that. So when a new customer comes along, he can have a blueprint to follow based on industry standards and knowledge, as well as contacts of people that might help,” says Jürgen.
The content is tailored for all stages of companies, including larger ones that want to expand their businesses to different cities and countries. All the content at ATOM Academy is available in video format through the website. There are currently three blocks of content - getting started, launching and operations, as well as optimization and growth. Overall, 15+ units are available with an average length of 35 minutes, so it would take few weeks to a month to go through all ATOM Academy courses. It is recommended that participants watch at least one video in two days and take notes. Afterward, it is possible to arrange a meeting with Jürgen at any time to discuss questions that arise along the way.
Industry experts available free of charge
All lectures are in the format of conversations with the leading experts in shared micromobility. They have all launched successful businesses in the field. For example, Polina Mikhaylova is a co-founder of KNOT - the company that designs, produces, and installs docking stations for scooter services. Sébastien Marteau is responsible for business development at Fluctuo. The company aggregates more than 200 shared-mobility fleets and provides insights into a target city's shared mobility metrics and trends allowing operators to prepare successful launches. Please visit the ATOM Academy website, where you will find the list of experts.
And that's not all. Jürgen says that since the shared mobility industry is evolving fast, there will be new ways to optimize the operations, and the ATOM Academy will make sure to keep its students up to date. “For example, now MaaS is a big thing. In addition, we have created a feedback system for ATOM Academy users so they are able to provide feedback about subjects they would like to know more about,” says Jürgen. Furthermore, he emphasizes that all this content could be useful for those still considering setting up a micromobility sharing business.
The ATOM Academy is free of charge for existing customers. “But, if there is someone, who is seriously considering starting a business then, we have an option to offer to go through the ATOM Academy content with a small one-time investment, which will later be deducted from the software price. So it’s an investment as well as a commitment,” explains Jürgen.
Apply for the ATOM Academy by filling in the application form here.
Interested in launching your own mobility platform?
Click below to learn more or request a demo.
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How to find your niche in the competitive ride-hail market: real-world examples of businesses that resonate
💡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! 🚗
December 18, 2024
min. read
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!
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Cracking the code of car sharing: Best technology for car sharing business
🚘💡 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!
November 27, 2024
min. read
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.
The three pillars of car sharing technology
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:
1. CAN Bus: The car’s internal network
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.
2. OBD: Affordable and easy to deploy
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.
3. OEM Telematics: Factory-installed genius
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.
The IoT providers helping you succeed
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:
Teltonika
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.
Geotab
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.
INVERS
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.
Acacus
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.
How ATOM Mobility comes into the picture?
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.
Why is car sharing the future?
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.
Join us
Ready to start your car-sharing journey? Book a demo with ATOM Mobility and let’s get moving!
Driver App demo credentials - Email: test@atom.com, Password: driver
