In our last two blogs, we explored the digital pain points in the mobility as a service (MaaS) industry. We explained how connected services, such as digital contracting, can improve digital leasing processes. However, there is always potential left, and all-around connectivity could make Mobility as a Service (MaaS) offerings smarter, safer, greener, and much more convenient:
1. One app to unify them all
Imagine one platform that ties everything together – no more juggling apps, searching for tickets, or verifying multiple payment systems. With a MaaS platform which unifies every mode of transport (public services, car- and bike sharing, car subscriptions, taxi services), users set up a single account and use their preferred payment method. Whether it’s hopping from an e-scooter to a train to a shuttle: with a few clicks, users can flexibly plan their trip and combine all means of transport – across cities, countries, or even continents. AI-driven personalization makes traveling even smoother. Depending on the user’s preferences, environmental influences, traffic density, or sudden events like “your bus has been canceled, here is an alternative connection,” the system dynamically determines the fastest or cost-effective route, the most efficient order of vehicles, as well as the greenest option – all in real-time. Secure, trusted payment and booking services seal the deal, turning mobility into something that feels like a comfortable, convenient lifestyle service.
2. Mobility wallet as an all-in-one digital hub
While the MaaS platform manages all the planning, predicting, recommending, booking, and other transactions for all modes of travel, the mobility wallet handles all things connected to access, sign-ups, payment, and insurance. It securely holds all the documents users need to be eligible to use transportation or ride a car. This includes: digital identity and license, financial and insurance information, subscription tickets, and more. Beyond that, it can also store additional information, such as crucial vehicle details, service and maintenance info, or even CO₂ data. For example, users can track their carbon footprint for each trip, see how much they saved, and earn points for choosing greener options. This gamification approach can incentivize smarter, cleaner, and more efficient mobility.
3. No need to interact
In combination with a unified MaaS platform, zero-touch mobility can remove friction from planning, booking, and paying for trips and thus take convenience to the next level. Think non-interaction supermarkets. For instance, when you board the bus, your smartphone or wearable, connected to both your MaaS account and mobility wallet, recognizes your location and the vehicle you are using, and automatically checks you in. As soon as you leave the bus, the system registers your destination, checks you out, and takes care of payment. Wait, there is more: a vehicle that a user temporarily rents from a carsharing service can unlock when the right person approaches. The subscription car recognizes individual drivers with a profile. It adjusts in-car settings like seat position, climate, and music playlist, creating a fully personalized ride from the moment the door unlocks. Zero-touch mobility is seamless, intuitive, and designed to let passengers focus on their journey rather than the logistics.
4. Your virtual co-driver
Backseat driving without the annoying part: With the help of conversational AI, virtual in-car assistants keep an eye on everything while the driver can focus on the road. They take care of adjustments on demand or automatically – including heating, ventilation, parking assistance, or switching driving modes. This eliminates the need to fumble with controls mid-drive. In addition, they also support trip management on the go, such as bookings, providing updates, or troubleshooting issues. The result: a smoother, safer, and more connected driving experience, where technology takes care of the details without ever distracting the driver.
All these innovations – unified platforms, mobility wallets, zero-touch access, and AI co-drivers – only truly come alive when vehicles, infrastructure, and data work in sync. Real connectivity depends on integrating data from multiple sources and ensuring vehicles interact with an advanced smart city infrastructure via vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication.
And at the heart of it all is digital trust: secure digital identities, eIDAS-compliant authentication, transparent payments, and a robust privacy architecture give users the confidence to embrace this highly connected MaaS ecosystem. Without trust, seamless experiences fall apart. The future of MaaS isn’t just about connected vehicles or AI assistants; it’s about a trustworthy, safe environment where mobility feels comfortable, convenient, and climate-friendly.
If you are interested in how remote identification and qualified electronic signatures help MaaS providers optimize their contracting processes, download our latest white paper “The Road to Fully Digitized Leasing”.
Want to learn more about digital trust in general? Get in touch with us!