Mobility Open Blockchain Initiative (MOBI) From BMW, Ford, GM & Renault Introduced

The Mobility Open Blockchain Initiative (MOBI) recently announced its formation to explore blockchain for use in a new digital mobility ecosystem that could make transportation safer, more affordable, and more widely accessible. MOBI and partners, including, BMW, Bosch, Ford, General Motors, Groupe Renault, ZF, Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Services USA and others seek to foster an ecosystem where businesses and consumers have security and sovereignty over their driving data, manage ride-share and car-share transactions, and store vehicle identity and usage information all via blockchain DLT.

MOBI said its scope of focus varies from payments, data tracking, and supply management, to consumer finance and pricing, and more futuristic areas like autonomous vehicles and ride-sharing systems – just one of the many areas blockchain is disrupting for the better.

MOBI also announced that Chris Ballinger, former chief financial officer and director of Mobility Services at Toyota Research Institute, is joining MOBI as chairman and CEO. In his new role, Ballinger will coordinate the initiative and use blockchain to create a more open platform, where users, owners, mobility service companies and infrastructure providers can better control and monetize their assets, such as their data.

In an interview with TechCrunch, Chris said:

“By bringing together automakers, suppliers, startups, and government agencies, we can accelerate adoption for the benefit of businesses, consumers, and communities.”

Other notable members of the organization’s board include Joseph Lubin, founder of ConsenSys and a co-founder of Ethereum, and Brian Behlendorf, executive director of Hyperledger.

Interesting Initiative: Mobility + Blockchain

New Consortium @MOBI_Connect created to explore how #Blockchain will reinvent #Mobility and address Industry Shifts -> ttps://www.dlt.mobi/ @Accenture@BMW@BoschGlobal@Ford@GM@Groupe_Renault@Hyperledger@IBM@IOTA@ZF_Konzern pic.twitter.com/wBrsbYQrx7

— Nikola Bachfischer (@nikabachfischer) May 3, 2018

Even though MOBI platform is very diverse and distributed, its potential has been evident to most paying attention and incorporation of auto businesses ramps up efforts to corner blockchain. Notably, Daimler had launched its own cryptocurrency called MobiCoin in March that was designed to reward drivers for virtuous behavior on the road. Toyota is also researching the new technology while Renault has joined R3 research consortium.