Avis Budget Group has launched its first-ever ‘Mobility Lab’ to serve as a test bed for fully connected vehicles and operations.
The Mobility Lab, located in Kansas City, Missouri, comprises more than 20 Avis rental locations, including Kansas City airport, as well as Nebraska’s Eppley airfield and Lincoln airport, and features a fleet of 5,000 connected cars. Avis Budget Group says the connectivity allows for seamless communication with the company’s fleet management platform and the Avis mobile app.
Leveraging connected car capabilities, Avis Budget says the Mobility Lab will deliver operational efficiencies by providing real-time inventory counts, mileage management and automated maintenance notification. The group comments that the data will facilitate the enhancement and optimisation of the company’s fleet management capabilities and provide scalable benefits as the company increases the number of connected cars moving forward.
Larry De Shon, president and CEO of Avis Budget Group, said the lab extends the company’s mobility initiatives. “The steps we’re taking with connected car and smart technologies will increase customer satisfaction, as well as reduce operational costs in the near term, while also preparing us to meet the evolving needs of consumers, entrepreneurs, corporations and governments.”
Kansas City mayor Sly James added: “Kansas City has a fully integrated suite of smart city initiatives in our community that make it a better place for our citizens and visitors. Partnering with Avis Budget Group allows us to make that experience more efficient and responsive to the needs of 21st-century Kansas Citians and our visitors.”
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