After the positive response on the news of the cooperation between the international technology company Continental and [ui!], we would like to take the opportunity to answer some questions we have recieved. CEO & CTO Lutz Heuser, answered the following questions that were submitted:

1. What are the advantages of strategic partnerships for an innovative company like [ui!]?

The urban institute is an incubator for new smart services on the basis of urban data. Our core expertise is the development of innovative business models and the corresponding software-as-a-service solution. With strategic partnerships we get access to the relevant markets for us, in order to understand needs better and offer attractive solutions.
An important focus of our work is the access to data of urban infrastructures and their provision for urban mobility, energy management in districts and the implementation of climate targets. Strategic partnerships help us to enable the extensive "match making" of operators of urban infrastructures and therefore data providers with data users.

2. Why was Continental chosen as a partner for the field of automotive applications and which specific outcomes do you expect?

"Infrastructure-to-car," the use of urban data for integrated and autonomous driving, is currently a hot topic. The just-concluded CES in Las Vegas and the auto show in Detroit demonstrated once again how much driving will change in the next few years. With its approach of eHorizons - "artificial horizons" for vehicles - Continental has laid out the basis for the use of urban data. Together, we can lead in commercialising urban data for integrated and autonomous driving.

3. As part of the closer cooperation, Continental has also recieved a seat on the advisory board of [ui!]. What tasks does this advisory board have?

The advisory board will consistently support the Urban Institute in its path to becoming an international player. It offers us the opportunity, to test our innovations for their marketability.

4. Which other strategic areas for partnerships are there?

Firstly, the operators of urban infrastructures need convincing to offer third parties their data via an open urban platform such as [ui!] UrbanPulse. Therefore, operators that position themselves as innovators and consistently follow the path of digitasation of urban spaces are ideal partners for us. The "Internet of Things" is part of each city, more precisely part of the city furniture such as street lights and traffic lights.
Secondly, real estate as well as city districts are a field of central importance with regards to energy efficiency and sustainability. Here, we are interested in profitably of reusing data for instance from the field of smart homes or property management for thrid party operators such as network operators.
Finally, the big platform and cloud operators are valuable partners in the operational implementation of the solutions. Looking at the current development of our clients, we see a growing need for data storage and processing. Here our partner network can guarantee an extensive range of products world wide today.

5. How about the internationalisation of [ui!]. Are international partnerships planned?

[ui!] operates in various European countries, the US and Australia already. Therefore, international partnerships, both globally as well as locally, are of significant importance. This year, we will negotiate addtional international partnerships and consider market entry in south esat Asia.

6. What outcomes do you expect from the partnerships in the upcoming three years ?

In three years we will successfully operate several joint venture companies with our strategic partners, to market innovations successfully. In addition we will have a cutting-edge portfolio in the Urban Institute, which makes us one of the leading providers for open urban platforms and therefore data brokers.

Thank you for answering these questions.