Embarking on its fourth edition, the Rapid Applications for Transport (RAPTOR) programme by EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, is set to push sustainable urban mobility challenges across Europe. Thirteen dynamic cities spanning ten countries are part of this initiative, demonstrating their commitment to fostering innovation and addressing pressing urban mobility needs. The kick-off was set this week with all the cities meeting in Prague with EIT Urban Mobility.
RAPTOR represents a challenge-oriented platform designed to specifically tackle niche urban mobility issues identified by participating cities. Startups and SMEs are invited to propose innovative solutions to these challenges, with winners receiving €40,000 in funding along with tailored mentoring support to pilot their solutions over a five-month period within the city.
Adriana Diaz, Interim Director of Innovation at EIT Urban Mobility, emphasized the program’s agility and its transformative impact on European cities. “RAPTOR empowers European startups and SMEs to collaborate directly with cities, offering innovative solutions that transcend conventional approaches to urban mobility challenges,” she remarked, “The programme’s fourth edition boasts a diverse array of challenges identified by participating cities, including enhancing pedestrian and cyclist safety, promoting active mobility among seniors, and monitoring CO2 emissions.”
The following cities are part of the 2024 edition on these key topics:
- Bacău, Romania: Active mobility for seniors
- Brasov, Romania: Inner city logistics
- Brussels Capital Region, Belgium: Delivering in low traffic neighbourhoods
- Fingal County, Ireland: Data collection in school streets / quiet streets
- Ghent, Belgium: Traffic safety analyses
- Graz, Austria: Smart accident prevention
- Helsinki, Finland: Mapping accessible pathways
- Konya, Türkiye: Improvement of multi-modal commuting experience
- Košice, Slovakia: Traffic management optimisation
- Las Rozas de Madrid, Spain: Pedestrian crossings accessibility
- Liepāja, Latvia: LEZ CO2 monitoring
- Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal: Enhanced active mobility with MOB+ active
- Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain: Bike tracking technology for enhanced security measures
Together, EIT Urban Mobility and cities have launched the open competition for European startups and SMEs to propose solutions that address these challenges. The niche mobility challenges for each of these cities is explained and detailed on the RAPTOR website, to support the SMEs and startups in getting ready for the competition.
