Project Summary

This project aims to leverage Mosa’s innovative, patent-pending smart retrofittable parking dock technology to create an ultra-affordable, docked micromobility sharing system tailored for non-tier-1 cities and towns (TLR2). In collaboration with UCL’s MUSA (Mobility and Urban Systems Analytics) Lab, we plan to gather detailed insights from local councils and towns. This information will be instrumental in constructing a proof-of-concept prototype, thereby demonstrating the project’s viability (TLR4). Leveraging Mosa’s award-winning technology, our goal is to bring affordable, operation-efficient, and user-friendly micromobility sharing solutions to local authorities in less urbanised areas, thereby promoting both sustainability and the adoption of active travel.

Project Achievements

We collaborated with UCL’s MUSA Lab to conduct market research and stakeholder interviews with local authorities and campuses, providing valuable insights that shaped our prototype. For the trial, we installed 10 smart docks, with 5 docks at each location (Wellcome Genome Campus and Whittlesford Parkway train station) to support a point-to-point bicycle sharing scheme. The system featured 5 bicycles alongside a customised bicycle sharing app, which allowed users to unlock bikes and access encrypted keys remotely. Over the course of the month-long trial, 30 users participated, and we collected data on user behaviour, system performance, and operational feasibility.

Conclusions

The trial at Wellcome Genome Campus successfully validated Mosa’s docked bicycle sharing concept, proving its operational feasibility in a real-world setting. It demonstrated that such a scheme could address the transport needs of smaller communities while contributing to the decarbonisation of local transport networks. The system’s low-cost infrastructure and flexibility make it a viable solution for both urban and rural regions. The trial’s success has built a strong foundation for scaling the project to larger areas, helping local authorities achieve their net-zero targets and improve public health through increased active travel.

Next Steps

Following the successful prototype trial, the next phase will focus on refining the system based on user feedback, particularly addressing connectivity issues at docking stations. We plan to expand trials within the Cambridge area, with strong support from Cambridgeshire County Council, replicating the success at Wellcome Genome Campus with other large employers and communities. We also aim to collaborate with the Department for Transport (DfT) to engage local authorities across the UK interested in adopting sustainable micromobility solutions. By conducting additional trials, we aim to validate the scalability of our system in different environments. On the technological front, we will optimise our retrofittable smart docks to support a broader range of micromobility vehicles, such as e-scooters and cargo bikes, enhancing the flexibility of the solution. To support this expansion, we will seek additional funding from government grants and venture capital, ensuring further development and large-scale deployment. Ultimately, we aim to commercialise the system, rolling it out across non-tier-1 cities. By providing an affordable and scalable solution, Mosa will contribute to achieving the UK’s decarbonisation targets and promote sustainable, accessible transport in underserved communities.