Future Moves Now. Is APAC moving, too?
Mike Walsh, EVP of DEKRA Group and Head of Asia Pacific, in conversation with DEKRA Corporate Focus Area "Future Vehicle and Mobility Services"
Recently, Mike Walsh, EVP of DEKRA Group and Head of Asia Pacific, was interviewed by DEKRA Corporate Focus Area "Future Vehicle and Mobility Services", in a conversation with Content & Knowledge Manager Nadine Hauschildt. As the guest, Mike Walsh shares his opinions on Future Mobility. The interview offers a glimpse into DEKRA's strategic vision and ongoing efforts to drive innovation and safety in the mobility sector.
What is your definition of “Future Mobility”?
Future Mobility is the changing field of how people and goods move. It includes new technologies that promote environmental, social, and economic benefits, and enhanced communication and access for all users, while prioritizing safety.
Asia is a frontrunner in Future Mobility: By looking at recent studies, China is leading in terms of market development, players in e-mobility, charging infrastructure, batteries, and micro-mobility, etc. How would you describe the Future Mobility market in APAC?
China is investing heavily in Future Mobility. It is the world's leading EV battery producer and sells more Electric Vehicles per year than the rest of the world combined. This presents a significant opportunity for DEKRA to provide testing, inspection and certification services to the many parts of the Future Mobility ecosystem.
What are DEKRA’s challenges in APAC when it comes to Future Mobility?
DEKRA faces three main challenges in APAC related to Future Mobility: Dealing with the varied regulatory landscape in APAC countries, adjusting testing capabilities to support the increasing infrastructure demands, and staying updated with technological developments.
And how do you work on overcoming those challenges?
We should be strategic about how we pursue opportunities in the Future Mobility market. This helps us leverage our strengths of evaluating vehicle quality and equipment and component reliability and conformity with standards.
To do this, we will need to invest and collaborate with all stakeholders and fully comprehend their different needs.
Can you share a special Future Mobility project or service in your region?
Sure! Imagine opening your car with your smartphone or giving access to it to a friend via your Smartphone application. This is called a “Digital Key”. As you can imagine, there are high risk as everything is digitally connected. DEKRA has become one of the first global authorized laboratories for the CCC Digital Key Certification by the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC). We provide testing and validation services and offer robust support to global automotive manufacturers and component suppliers to launch compliant products in the digital key domain. And I am very proud that in Mainland China, DEKRA has been granted the authorization for its laboratories located in Guangzhou and Suzhou.
Imagine living in the year 2040: How do you commute? How does future mobility look like?
The way people and goods travel from one location to another will change dramatically in 2040. The merging of technologies and evolving consumer preferences will lead to radical transformations in the mobility sector. Self-driving vehicle technology and electric vehicles will be the standard. The idea of Mobility as a Service will be widespread. Rather than owning a car, individuals will depend on integrated platforms that smoothly combine ride-hailing, public transport, bike-sharing, and car-sharing services. This method will provide a more adaptable and eco-friendly way to move without the upfront cost of owning a vehicle.
The interview delves into DEKRA's position in the industry, the challenges encountered by DEKRA APAC, and the solutions, as well as innovative projects in progress, etc. Through collaboration, strategic initiatives, and proactive measures, DEKRA will shape the future of transportation.