Disruptive innovation in autonomous (AI) public transportation

The Disruptive Innovation Program offers individual technology companies or groups of companies the opportunity to develop, validate, test and demonstrate disruptive technologies within a globally unique regulatory sandbox 

Among the main objectives of the program are: 

1.  The program is designed to offer an efficient mechanism that will reduce costs and improve public transportation availability through the use of (AI) autonomous vehicles/buses.
2. The end-goal of this program must include a demonstration in the form of a pilot designed to test the outcome of this program. 

• Israeli companies and startups – developing disruptive and multi-purpose innovative products and technologies to face the challenges and pains of their relevant market domains.
• Enterprise, corporates, government entity or educational institute – institute that are interested to implement innovative solutions in their respective domain of operation and want to provide a platform for developing, testing, and demonstrating disruptive solutions, can share their contact information in this link.

Targeted Participants in this program domain

Israeli companies and start-ups developing disruptive and multi-purpose innovative products and technologies to face the challenges and pains of the public transportation sector, from early stages of technological development. Including:

• Adaptation for Accessibility, Safety, and Operator Responsibility: Child transportation typically involves trips to and from educational institutions and various extracurricular activities, while senior transportation often targets social day centers, volunteer centers, medical facilities, and more. Transportation is more challenging in peripheral areas, where passengers need to be picked up and dropped off from multiple locations spread over a large area.
• Data Analysis and Optimization: Utilize data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to create an optimal solution that encompasses the entire transportation process: route planning, identifying passengers waiting at a stop, scheduling, improving efficiency, effectiveness, availability, and reducing costs.
• Information Security and Cyber Regulation: Coordinate information security and cyber regulations among all parties involved in transportation process, including autonomous buses/vehicles.
• Regulatory Compliance: Address current regulations in the field and adapt them to the era of autonomous vehicles/buses.

• Regulatory Support: Receive ongoing and direct support from the Israeli Ministry of Health to navigate and facilitate the necessary regulatory processes.
• Financial Support: Receive financial financing ranging from 20% to 50% of the approved program budget. The funding is subject to the guidelines of the R&D Fund, its procedures, and aligns with the investment policy of the Growth Division.
• Thorough Technology Assessment: Receive an in-depth assessment of your proposed technology or solution by the Innovation Authority. This evaluation helps validate your innovation and provides valuable insights for further development.

Israeli companies seeking further information on the requirements and application process to this program, should refer to the Israel Innovation Authority’s Hebrew site