Challenge 5: The Red Light, Green Light of Inclusive Smart Cities
LUMOS
Introduction
We are Lumos, a startup team devoted to 1) effectively bridging the first and last mile of journeys, and 2) creating sustainable and eco-friendly mobility solutions. Our aim is to provide convenience for individuals to move around in cities worldwide while ensuring our approach is environmentally conscious.
Eco Delta City is a promising eco-friendly smart city, currently under development in Busan, South Korea. Despite its forward-thinking design, residents are confronted with substantial challenges. A primary issue is the lack of sufficient transportation infrastructure, which has led to significant inconveniences for the inhabitants.
In response to these challenges, we provide an autonomous personal mobility service that connects the first and last mile for the residents of Eco Delta City. Our method utilizes solar panel-powered e-mobility, enabling effective short-distance travel. Moreover, our unique approach of re-using discarded solar panels for charging not only reduces carbon emissions but also helps conserve the environment.
By employing these strategies, we strive to ensure inclusivity, striking a balance between innovation and tradition.
Problem
1. Solar Panel Waste
Solar panels have become an integral part of our efforts to combat climate change. However, an alarming amount of these panels are ending up as waste. In 2023, Korea alone produced 988 tonnes of solar panel waste, and it’s estimated that by 2033, we’ll see around 10,000 tonnes of discarded solar panels.
But imagine if we could redirect these discarded solar panels to benefit the mobility sector? At Lumos, our aim is to breathe new life into kick scooters by harnessing the power of these abandoned solar panels to recharge them.
2. First Mile, Last Mile
During our visit to Busan’s Eco Delta Smart Village in May, our team at Lumos had the opportunity to engage directly with the local residents. The primary challenge that surfaced from our discussions was the issue of ‘First Mile, Last Mile’ transportation. Insufficient infrastructure left essential facilities too far to walk to but not far enough to justify driving. Also, connections to the nearest public transport were sparse, underscoring the need for a solution to this ‘First Mile, Last Mile’ problem.
Solution
Our proposed solution employs e-mobility to bridge this divide, seamlessly integrating residents with their surroundings.
Using line tracer technology, we aim to offer residents the convenience of semi-autonomous travel. This will enhance access to essential facilities, with scooters navigating smoothly between homes and designated transportation hotspots. When not in use, these scooters will return to their Cybele stations for recharging.
Business Model
We offer cost-effective scooter-sharing services, using solar power to charge our scooters, reducing costs. We generate revenue through customer subscriptions, driving data collection, and by selling our scooter solutions to other companies. Our scooters eliminate collection and charging expenses, making us an attractive partner for businesses and governments. In partnership with Busan Eco-Delta City, we gain access to smart city data, providing efficient mobility solutions for residents. We’re exploring advertising and potential governmental subsidies as further revenue streams. Our diverse strategies aim to solidify Lumos’s position in the green transportation market.
The core essence of our STP strategy can be succinctly expressed with one keyword: “convenience.” The financial benefits gained from minimal maintenance and decreased usage fees significantly enhance the customer experience. This enhancement acts as a catalyst, driving the surge in the number of our users and prompting an escalation in our production capacity. In the end, these elements combine to provide a more seamless and convenient experience for our customers as they engage with our products.
Vision/Mission
Our vision is to transform the urban mobility landscape into a more streamlined and sustainable model, thereby fostering a new and exciting lifestyle. We aim to achieve this by developing energy-efficient e-mobility solutions, starting with a successful launch at Busan EDC. Our ultimate goal is to extend this initiative beyond Korea, instigating a wave of sustainable mobility in cities globally.
Team
