Bengaluru Forum Highlights Need for Human-Centric Technology in Urban Mobility
At the Future ICT Forum: For Sustainable Cities held in Bengaluru on Monday, experts underscored a crucial message: technology alone cannot solve mobility challenges—it must be tailored to people's needs. The forum, which spotlighted AI-driven solutions for urban transport and energy, comes at a critical time as Bengaluru recently ranked second among the world's most congested cities in the Tom Tom Index, amplifying the urgency for effective interventions.
Global Insights on AI and Public Transport
Stephan Keller, Mayor of Düsseldorf, Germany, shared insights with TOI, noting that his city employs test fields for autonomous driving and adaptive traffic control systems. "If the air is cleaner, traffic can flow; if the air is polluted, cars are stopped and kept out of the city," he explained. Keller emphasized that public transport is key to improving individual mobility and tackling long-standing urban issues, with underground and railway-based options offering greater convenience than buses. He highlighted how AI can optimize resource allocation, addressing inefficiencies like empty train or bus lines in German cities by matching supply with demand.
Human-Centric Approach to Urban Solutions
Andrea Hendrickx, Country Head of Infosys Germany, warned against prioritizing technology over human needs. "We make a mistake when we put technology first—cities aren't planned on a drawing board," she stated. Hendrickx advocated for situational, human-centric solutions, citing examples such as Bengaluru's use of AI twins for traffic management, Singapore's bus demand predictions, Barcelona's sensor-based water conservation, and Tokyo's digital twins for crowd tracking. She stressed that defining problems before applying technology is essential to avoid misusing tools, and called for learning, experimentation, and practical sustainability centered on people.
Innovative Mobility and Collaborative Efforts
Payal Satish, Chief Commercial Officer at Sarla Aviation, pointed out that Bengaluru's rapid urbanization and ground infrastructure limits necessitate faster, cleaner, and smarter mobility solutions. While India lacks a helicopter ecosystem, advances in electric propulsion and autonomous ICT enable smart aerial mobility, which she described as an evolution in infrastructure rather than a luxury. Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, CEO of Karnataka Digital Economy Mission, highlighted ongoing explorations of collaborations with sustainable mobility companies and startups from India, Canada, and globally, using AI to address traffic issues. He emphasized the importance of industry partnerships and private participation over sole reliance on government.
Key Steps for Smart Cities
Experts recommended an iterative, experiential approach, including piloting emerging technologies and new transport modes. A framework outlined by Andrea Hendrickx includes:
- Using deep tech, AI, and skilling to create AI-integrated smart spaces.
- Defining problems before applying technology.
- Establishing city-wide data platforms and governance.
- Focusing on flagship domains like smart mobility, smart energy, and digital public services.
- Co-creating with citizens and businesses.
- Leveraging AI and predictive analytics.
- Implementing digital twins.
- Ensuring solutions are sustainable, connected, affordable, learning-oriented, and experiential (SCALE).
The forum reinforced that with Bengaluru's dense growth and digital infrastructure, it serves as a natural test bed for innovative mobility solutions, driving toward a more efficient and people-focused urban future.
