Urban Innovate TALKS

In this episode of Urban Innovate Talks, Henriette Cornet interviews Alex Hansen, the director of sales at Holon, a company focused on developing autonomous shuttles. They discuss Holon's unique position in the market, its partnerships, and the technology behind its vehicles. The conversation also covers Holon's expansion plans in the US, particularly in Jacksonville, where they plan to establish a manufacturing plant. Hansen emphasizes the importance of regulatory compliance and the need for public acceptance of autonomous vehicles. The episode concludes with a discussion on the potential use cases for Holon's shuttles in urban transit systems.


Takeaways

Holon is a young company with a startup character.
The company combines innovation with the experience of its parent company, Bentle.
Holon focuses on developing fully autonomous shuttles for public transport.
Partnerships with companies like Mobileye are crucial for Holon's technology.
The US market is seen as an early adopter for autonomous vehicles.
Jacksonville is a strategic location for Holon's manufacturing plant.
Holon aims to produce 5,000 vehicles annually at its Jacksonville plant.
Regulatory challenges exist, particularly regarding vehicle approvals.
Holon seeks to educate transit agencies on the benefits of autonomous shuttles.
The company envisions its vehicles as a solution for last-mile connectivity.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Holon and Its Vision
04:25 Holon's Unique Position in the Market
06:08 Development and Testing of Autonomous Shuttles
10:28 Partnerships and Technology Integration
13:19 Holon's Role in the Mobility Ecosystem
15:46 Expansion Plans in the US Market
20:27 Jacksonville: A Strategic Location for Holon
23:56 Production Capacity and Future Plans
25:49 Regulatory Challenges and Market Adaptation
27:53 Addressing Transit Agency Needs
32:20 Use Cases for Autonomous Shuttles
35:08 Deconstructing Misconceptions About Autonomous Vehicles