Martin Mantalvanos CEO Applying Internet of Things (IoT) technology is still a vague concept to many, but to visionaries like Martin Mantalvanos, CEO of RSM, “groundbreaking IoT platforms will revolutionize how we engage with and solve a variety of problems.” He affirms, “At RSM, we embrace IoT to maximize city intelligence and interconnectivity, focusing on reducing congestion, mitigating air pollution, managing noise, and integrating all modes of transport, from private and self-driven vehicles to public transportation.”
RSM’s flagship software Simon functions as a versatile operating system for IoT, creating a connected landscape of innovative transportation infrastructure. The platform provides cities with the ability to visualize and manage live traffic environments. A virtual ecosystem based on artificial intelligence algorithms that adapt over time, Simon prioritizes mobility objectives according to an individual city’s desires and needs. Mantalvanos discovered Simon at the University of Helsinki in Finland where it was being developed as the academic brainchild sponsored by the European Union. The product is hardware agnostic and installed strategically at traffic intersections.
Through highly granular and refined data, received from the intersection via the cloud simulation engine, Simon can relay key metrics such as speed, volume and lane capacity with the intention of using the full road network to reduce pollution and decrease congestion. For example, the data may relay the time and volume of traffic during rush hour, and Simon could initiate a protocol to gradually reconfigure intersections like 19th Avenue in San Francisco, CA that experience elevated volumes of traffic throughout the day.
With data collection across intersections and transportation zones, Simon generates a customizable digital fabric to facilitate a broad suite of mobility priorities under one platform at a low cost.
What we offer the city is reduced congestion, reduced pollution, improved public transport, and the integration of all modes of transport
“Self-driven vehicles can receive key diagnostics for maps and assessment of traffic or hazards particularly when it comes to route planning,” notes Mantalvanos. This is a key feature for companies whose vehicles need to find the most efficient route through a city such as ambulances, taxis and delivery vehicles. The benefits of Simon not only speed up trips but also reduce carbon footprints in the city with less clogged intersections. Companies such as Uber and Lyft can use the data to improve their response and delivery times for their customers resulting in more fares and increased revenues.
Moreover, by equipping city infrastructure with smart sensors, Simon leverages big data to simulate and target key mobility challenges. Applications include prioritizing public transportation, creating safer cyclist and pedestrian routes, facilitating incoming autonomous vehicle technologies, and increasing mode options through connectivity. One notable distinction with RSM’s platform is its unique ability to anonymize data and protect personal information— no license plates or other personal information is captured by the software or the smartphone apps. These versatile capabilities have paved a path for forging dynamic public and private partnerships. From San Jose, CA to Helsinki, Finland RSM is engaged in multiple initiatives to showcase the power of Simon.
Simon increases the capacity of city residents to move freely, quickly, safely and with ease. According to Mantalvanos, “What we offer the city is reduced congestion and pollution, improved public transportation, and the integration of all modes of transport. With the interconnected urban landscape, I think there is a lot more we can do than people can even imagine right now.”