The technology of the TU Munich spin-off enables a more sustainable mobility system by monitoring and forecasting the behaviour of the crowd in real time by using data fusion and artificial intelligence (AI). Teratrace’s vision is to improve urban quality of life by making cities smarter.
ESA BIC Bavaria Manager Cornelia Gebath (CG) interviews Eduardo Morral (EM), Managing Director at Teratrace.
CG: Please give us a sneak peek of your product and the team behind it.
EM: We use sensor data and artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor and predict crowd dynamics in public transport systems. This real-time information provides valuable crowd awareness, enabling operators, for instance, to optimise route planning, prioritise infrastructure investments and improve the overall quality of the service provided to their travellers. Basically, our SaaS crowd awareness platform delivers fundamental intelligence for the digital future of mobility networks.
Our team passionately creates high-tech products that influence the quality of life of millions of people. We are a multidisciplinary team assembled by talented data scientists who are experienced in implementing lean and scalable solutions. We use state-of-the art technologies such as wireless sensor networks, big data and AI, balanced with a skilled team of professional business developers, marketers and communicators. We are also supported by a great network of partners such as TU Munich, UnternehmerTUM and the European Space Agency (ESA).
CG: What has been your company’s biggest challenge so far?
EM: Our customers have a very strict mindset with regard to security and data privacy. That’s rather time-consuming but, as we share the same values, we took their concerns very seriously and implemented the highest security and privacy standards for our service. Now, both of us are very happy with the result.
CG: Can you explain the three main ingredients of your recipe for success?
EM: Firstly, we and our corporate culture are very customer-focused, from product development to sales. Secondly, we are a self-motivated and multidisciplinary team that started our entrepreneurship with perseverance and optimism. Thirdly, we embrace luck as a key ingredient for success and focus on making sure that we are well prepared when great opportunities occur.
CG: What do you expect from ESA BIC Bavaria and how do you think the initiative and its network will help you to kick-start your business case?
EM: We joined the ESA business incubation centre Bavaria in 2018. Both ESA and its incubation programme have a great reputation worldwide and we are very happy to be part of it. In particular, the networking, advice in key technological areas and the financial support have helped us to keep our business growing.
CG: What do you think to benefit from the DLR support?
EM: We consider our direct link to the DLR to be a great benefit. Especially when it comes to selecting key technologies for our monitoring platform: we were able to stabilise the wireless communication between our cloud infrastructure and the sensors in the stations, trains and buses with DLR key insights in the field of hybrid cellular-satellite communications. Since our monitoring platform integrates indoor and outdoor location data, the support of the DLR will also be of great importance to increase the value of our analytics, especially in multimodal transport systems.
CG: Let’s reach for the stars – what is going to happen in Teratrace’s future?
EM: Our mission is to equip transport networks with the intelligence needed to drive the digital future of mobility. We envision becoming a key contributor in the digital mobility revolution, where we will work for a liveable future in urban areas, a sustainable and integrated mobility system and a flawless infrastructure that attracts people and businesses worldwide.
Did you enjoy this interview with the outstanding innovator? Anyone interested can contact Teratrace via e-mail. Stay tuned for upcoming interviews with ESA BIC Bavaria innovators on our AZO Blog.
