Michel Arm

On the brink of a major shift: separating true innovations from fads

As the Head of Digitalisation and IT at ASTAG, the Swiss road transport association, it’s my job to guide our association and, in collaboration with our members and partners, to support the industry in bringing about a better future.

That’s why I have developed a technology radar which was granted the “Best Thesis Award” by the Bern University of Applied Sciences. I am currently developing this radar into a comprehensive trend radar.

The radar will enable Swiss operators to recognise trends at an early stage. This is important because we are on the brink of a major shift to green mobility.

New propulsion technologies and intelligent driver assistance systems will play a major role in the transition. However, it’s not clear which technologies will prevail.

Our trend radar will help companies to invest in technologies that best suit their needs based on the latest trends. By doing so, they will actively advance a safer, more efficient, and greener road transport industry.

ASTAG also uses the trend radar to track social and political trends in Switzerland, from which we develop recommendations for the Swiss road transport industry, distinguishing between actual innovation and short-term fads.

The views and opinions expressed by the New Industry Shapers do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of IRU.