is growing rapidly. People's mobility behaviour is changing too. Individually Page 2 adaptable passenger transport systems are playing an increasingly important role. And, not least, crowded roads in inner-city zones are presenting new challenges for the transport industry and, as a result, for the manufacturers of vans. The future of transport: three categories, one goal The competition, initiated by Mercedes-Benz Vans and supported by the EU Commission, has a clear goal: identifying and supporting innovations and startups which will make future transport even more efficient with intelligent and new ideas. Looked for are both hardware and software solutions and innovative concepts for business models relating to the van. Mercedes-Benz Vans looks out for promising technology solutions in three specific fields. These are: 1. Connectivity/IoT (digital@vans): hardware and software solutions which promote the connectivity of the van and enable real-time interaction between all factors involved in transport, such as goods and vehicle. 2. Cargo space optimisation (solutions@vans): ideas and solutions relating to the cargo space, such as automated racking systems, and the optimisation of loading and unloading processes. 3. Mobility concepts (mobility@vans): innovative mobility concepts and sharing solutions which, for example, increase the vehicles' capacity utilisation or offer customers new and cost-effective mobility solutions. From idea to prototype in three stages The competition will run in three stages: Interested startups can complete a quick, straightforward online questionnaire, outlining their ideas for the three categories until 15 January 2017. Independent startup experts will then invite a maximum of 80 applicants to take part in the idea refinement phase. In this phase the submitted ideas will be fleshed out in workshops together with Mercedes-Benz Vans. Personal contacts will be established. The ten best startups will take part in the concept phase and will each be given a financial support of 10 000 euros to generate implementable concepts within a timeframe of around two months. Daimler Communications, 70546 Stuttgart, Germany Mercedes-Benz – A Daimler Brand