Rinspeed Presents Clever Communication Concept “BamBoo Community” at the Geneva Motor Show: Mobile Community Platform with Added Value

Swiss automotive visionary Frank M. Rinderknecht has never been content just building concept cars. At the Geneva Motor Show he now presents in addition to his sun & fun car “Bamboo” a proprietary community concept with the same name for the automobile society.

The Rinspeed boss wouldn’t live up to his own expectations if he didn’t already think beyond today’s capabilities of the communication platform. He integrates features such as an intelligent ride-share service and various social networks such as Facebook. But he also wants to expose “homo ludens” in a playful way to the idea of sustainability. In Zurich Financial Services Group, a global leader in insurance services, he has found an economic heavyweight to partner in this exciting project. The concept was developed and implemented by Swiss engineering services firm Helveting.

The automotive platform is intended to be integrated into the internet connectivity of existing vehicles; all other can use it on modern smartphones. “Value added,” cleverly combined with human emotionality and the play instinct, is the key to success. The heart of the application is a savvy ride-share service (“RideSharing”), which draws upon existing social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr and blogs. It brings together supply and demand – drivers and passengers - and both parties can evaluate and identify each other. Rinderknecht: “No one needs put themselves at risk any longer by opening a car door without knowing what waits inside.”

“My Viewer” is the name the developers have given to functions that focus on driver and vehicle. The CO2 footprint of the vehicle is constantly measured and evaluated. It also offers various billing modes, e.g. for “RideSharing.” Even in the case of an accident “My Viewer” assists the driver because the system records the most important driving data before and during an accident. And what today is restricted to the luxury class will then be on hand for all drivers: locating the vehicle and alarming emergency services.

The idea of sustainability also matters greatly to the Swiss: the application will be able to evaluate the driving style in ecological terms – and drivers will be able to compare themselves to other drivers in an online competition. Tips on safe driving and accident avoidance are included for free. Logically anyone carrying a passenger operates more energy efficient and receives more green diligence cards, which in this application naturally are called “BamBoos” and are bamboo-green. Rinderknecht adds: “Sophisticated reward models are conceivable – from electricity gift certificates to discounts on car insurance.”

And this is where it comes full circle: For the community operators and partners this presents interesting opportunities for interactive and tailor-made communications with the automotive community.