Veo, one of the leading e-scooter companies participating in the New York Department of Transportation’s e-scooter programme, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Captur, an artificial intelligence (AI) company, to introduce AI-powered parking solutions in the Bronx. The initiative is expected to redefine e-scooter parking compliance and is projected to launch in November in Queens and the Bronx, alongside other prominent cities across the United States where Veo’s scooters are operational.
Dubbed as the first U.S. deployment of Captur's in-app AI technology, the programme aims to significantly reduce the issue of mis-parked vehicles, a common complaint among city residents. In European cities, Captur's technology has successfully decreased instances of improper parking by over 80%, and Veo anticipates similar outcomes in its U.S. applications.
This innovative parking compliance tool integrates the camera functionality of Veo’s app to verify if the parked scooters adhere to local regulations, ensuring that scooters are only released once they are parked correctly. Captur’s AI offers a tailored approach, adapting to different local parking rules and vehicle types, thus enhancing the accuracy compared to traditional GPS systems. The data gathered can potentially guide city authorities and operators in crafting improved parking infrastructure, reducing the burden on workers who previously had to manually verify parked scooters.
Candice Xie, Co-founder and CEO of Veo, mentioned the company's sustained engagement with community stakeholders, stressing the importance of keeping sidewalks clear and accessible, especially for individuals with disabilities. She enthused about the potential impact of Captur’s AI in maintaining responsible parking practices at scale. Xie expressed hope that other companies in the micromobility industry would adopt such technology to ensure a seamless integration of e-scooters into urban environments.
Echoing Xie's sentiments, Charlotte Bax, founder and CEO of Captur, highlighted the complexity and cost associated with traditional image-based compliance, which has hindered operators' efforts until now. The partnership with Veo, she noted, allows for pre-ride verification without manual checks, thus simplifying operations and maintaining accessibility.
The announcement arrives in the midst of ongoing discussions and opposition from local officials and residents, particularly in Queens. Council Member Sandra Ung, Senator Leroy Comrie, and Speaker Adrienne Adams have expressed dissatisfaction with the current e-scooter programme, citing numerous complaints from constituents about mis-parked scooters causing obstructions and potential hazards. In response to these concerns, Ung proposed legislation to ban the programme in Flushing, a neighbourhood particularly affected by these issues, and both Comrie and Adams have publicly urged the DOT to reconsider the rollout of e-scooters in their respective areas.
Veo acknowledged these challenges, recognising improper parking as a persistent challenge since the rise in popularity of shared bikes and scooters back in 2017. While educational efforts and designated parking corrals have contributed to improving the situation, the company acknowledges that more robust solutions are necessary to address continued concerns about e-scooter parking.
As Veo prepares to introduce this AI-powered parking system, it marks a significant step towards enhancing urban mobility while addressing community concerns around e-scooter use and parking compliance. This initiative may prove pivotal in shaping the future of shared mobility solutions in densely populated urban areas.
Source: Noah Wire Services