The BENTELER Group has signed an agreement to acquire ioki GmbH from Deutsche Bahn AG.
Following the acquisition, ioki will operate alongside HOLON and Benteler Mobility within the BENTELER Group. The three businesses will combine vehicle manufacturing, software platforms and operational services for autonomous mobility.
HOLON produces the HOLON Urban autonomous shuttle, ioki provides software for on-demand services and public transport integration, and Benteler Mobility offers fleet operations and financing.
According to the companies, the combined offering is intended to allow cities, public transport authorities and mobility providers to source vehicles, software and operations from a single group. ioki’s data analysis and simulation tools are used to assess where autonomous vehicles could complement existing public transport networks. Both the software platform and vehicle systems are designed to be scalable and interoperable, with the aim of simplifying deployment for operators.
Ralf Göttel, chief executive of the BENTELER Group said:The acquisition brings together HOLON’s manufacturing expertise and Benteler Mobility’s operational capabilities with the digital platform solutions by ioki – hardware, services, and software all in one place. This integrated approach is unique in our industry. It radically simplifies the deployment and operation of autonomous vehicles for customers. Alongside our core business in metal processing, BENTELER is thus strategically evolving into a leading provider in the autonomous mobility sector.
Founded in 2018, ioki employs more than 100 people. Its on-demand software has been deployed in more than 200 transport services, which the company says have collectively served close to 10 million passengers. ioki has been active in projects involving autonomous vehicles in public transport and in data-based transport planning. It is a spin-off from Deutsche Bahn.
Under BENTELER ownership, ioki is expected to expand beyond its current European focus. The company’s driver-based ride-pooling software will continue to be developed and offered, supporting mixed fleets that include both conventional and autonomous vehicles. In autonomous projects, ioki will remain vehicle- and system-agnostic, allowing customers to integrate HOLON shuttles or vehicles from other manufacturers.
Michael Barillère-Scholz, co-founder and chief executive of ioki said:As part of the BENTELER Group, we can further strengthen and scale the market leadership of our successfully established software and analytics products on an international level. Our mission is to connect people intelligently. Our data-driven mobility expertise, combined with deep public-transport know-how and global reach, enables sustainable, connected mobility. European technology for the world. Together with HOLON and Benteler Mobility, we have strong partners at our side who will support our further development in the long term.
HOLON, ioki and Benteler Mobility are already working together on initial projects intended to inform the development of a more integrated offering. Commenting jointly, Sven Herzig, chief sales officer of HOLON, and Tobias Liebelt, chief executive of Benteler Mobility, said the companies share an objective of supporting cities and operators in introducing autonomous mobility in a practical and economically viable manner.
