Smart Mobility

MaaS concept

Created in Helsinki, the Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) concept is globally one of the most interesting mobility trends. It enables people to purchase all of their mobility services digitally, which makes it easier to live without having a car. The Whim service created by the Helsinki-based company MaaS Global has already spread to countries such as the UK and Belgium.

As a globally known spearhead, the MaaS concept is an example of the facilitating role that Helsinki excels in. Helsinki serves as a development platform in which the City, businesses, the scientific community and residents join forces to develop a city of the future. Helsinki is known especially for its people-oriented and inclusive smart city operations. Piloting, trials and co-development create smart solutions that make life easier. That is how Helsinki is being made into the most functional city in the world in terms of mobility as well.

“Forum Virium Helsinki helped us tremendously.”

Sampo Hietanen, CEO, MaaS Global

Data is the most valuable capital of the future

Helsinki’s strengths lie in open data and the IoT. Helsinki was one of the first capital cities in the world to begin opening its data. Now Helsinki is the second most advanced city in terms of opening its data, right after New York City. In the last decade, open data has become an established mode of operation. The City’s decisions and background materials are available as open data. The City’s interfaces are constantly being opened, enabling external developers to develop new applications and create new business activities. 5G networks, which are becoming increasingly common in Finland and Helsinki, offer new possibilities for smart transport as well.

Scalable business activities

Helsinki has its own innovation company, Forum Virium Helsinki, which specialises in co-developing a smart city. The innovations are put into practice through businesses and the City’s different divisions. When new modes of operation and solutions are developed and tested in Helsinki, they also lead to the creation of new, globally scalable business activities.