Felix Fajardo (Global Mobility Call): ‘We intend to continue exploring the new frontiers of mobility’

The third edition of Global Mobility Call, which IFEMA MADRID is organising from 19 to 21 November together with Smobhub and the support of the Ministry of Transport, is reaffirming itself as an essential event in current and future mobility. Félix Fajardo explains the keys.

AutoRevista,- With less than two months to go before the third edition of Global Mobility Call, what are the expectations in terms of exhibitors and visitors, how does the event continue to consolidate itself on an international level, and what will be the main attractions of this edition?

Félix Fajardo.- We are going for more. We want to keep growing. At the congress level, the increase in internationality is remarkable. Speakers from companies, cities and regions from more than 30 countries such as Boston, Cincinnati, Aurora, Munich, Bologna, Krakow, Guimarães or Copenhagen will bring a great deal of knowledge and experience to the congress. 

We have some very interesting conferences, such as the congress we are preparing together with the DGT on road safety, sessions on the automotive industry or the complete programme on active mobility that we are organising together with MITMS, FEMP and AMBE. 

In the end, there are more than 120 sessions and 450 speakers in a transversal programme that covers the entire ecosystem of the new mode, connecting leaders from the public and private sector, governments, institutions and startups in the same space.

Among the main attractions of this edition, we have developed new itineraries focused on new solutions in electric mobility, the role of alternative fuels, as well as advances in automation and digitisation, key issues that will define the mobility of the future. 
 

AR.- One of the itineraries is dedicated to the automotive industry which, in the case of Spain and Europe, is going through a particularly complex time (with analyses such as the Draghi Report) due to issues of electrification, competitiveness and the need for reindustrialisation. How does the GMC intend to shed light on this?

F.F.- We are aware of the great challenges facing the industry. In fact, it is one of the reasons why we are promoting the Global Mobility Call. This event aims to be a space that contributes to debate and generate solutions to face the transition, addressing the challenges of electrification, competitiveness and regulation. During the three days, through the exhibition and congress area, it will be possible to discover concrete solutions for the European industry to recover its competitiveness in a global market, looking for a cleaner and more efficient mobility to achieve a fair and sustainable transition.

AR.- Energy, in its different forms, is emerging as a decisive factor in the competitive evolution of mobility. What role does it play in the contents and debate of the GMC? What relevance is hydrogen beginning to play to a greater extent?

F.F.- Energy is a key issue because mobility goes hand in hand with it. The industry is currently moving towards complete electrification, where renewable energy sources are essential to achieve decarbonised mobility.

Hydrogen, as you will see at GMC, is gaining more and more relevance across the industry and is already emerging as a key alternative, especially for heavy transport and the maritime industry.

AR- Another aspect that also affects the GMC thematic proposal focuses on the technological factor with the ICT world, 5G, AI, what can the attending public expect as an advance of trends in this field?

F.F- It is something we see in our daily lives. The future of mobility depends on technology. 5G is already a crucial driver for the development of autonomous and connected vehicles, hand in hand with information and communication technologies to facilitate the real-time exchange of large amounts of data between infrastructures, vehicles and users. The DGT, for example, will address at the congress a debate on how autonomous driving will affect road safety.

As for AI, it is transforming the design of smart cities and more efficient transport systems. And at Global Mobility Call visitors will discover how these technologies are improving traffic planning, logistics and user experience.

The Innovation and Cybersecurity Forum will also include time dedicated to cybersecurity, which both affects and drives the shift towards connectivity for all stakeholders.

AR.- From the point of view of public-private collaboration, the event offers an important example of collaboration between IFEMA MADRID and Smobhub and the Ministry of Transport, how has this collaboration framework been perfected?

F.F.- The participation of the Ministry is absolutely necessary to promote changes in the new mobility. They are regulators and investors, but they need the participation of private companies and the rest of the administrations involved. 

In GMC, both administrations and private companies have a meeting point, a place for debate and influence to carry forward the transformation of mobility. 

We provide discussion tables with the participation of the parties involved and meeting spaces such as the Gala Dinner, the opening event or spaces for networking. Also, of course, the GMC Expo where companies present their solutions to the challenges of administrations and other companies involved in this ecosystem. 

AR.- What effects are expected from the synergies with Trafic, and are there other areas of collaboration with national and international entities or associations that stand out?

F.F.- Last year was the first time that Trafic was integrated into Global Mobility Call and the results were really good because we generated a comprehensive ecosystem that covers everything from traffic management to the most innovative mobility solutions. So the visitor can have a 360° view of the challenges and opportunities in urban and rural mobility.

Yes, this year we also have a relevant number of associations that are closely related to each other from different fields such as safe, inclusive and accessible mobility, automotive or urban mobility management, giving rise to the creation of new synergies between them.

AR.- In an ever-changing mobility scenario, how is the Global Mobility Call being prepared for the coming years?

F.F.- Global Mobility Call is preparing to be able to respond to these changes. We are the place where the challenges that lie ahead are discussed and we are constantly working to evolve with the sector. We intend to continue exploring the new frontiers of mobility, such as micro-mobility, urban mobility and advances in autonomous transport infrastructure. All of this in order to continue to be the reference forum where the alliances and decisions that will shape the future of global mobility are forged.

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Interview published in AutoRevista 2.395