Dear students, companies, staff of Aalto University and other stakeholders:
You are most welcome to see the presentation of our "Airbnb" - styled solution for electric vehicles in the Grande Finale of SCI Project course. Our peer-to-peer concept is something that has not been done in Finland before and our results promising.
Our solution will help the EV drivers to find free charging stations and charger owners to easilly lease their poles for money through an easy-to-use app. Feel also free to visit our stand, where you are able to try the app and hear for example more about our business model and value proposition!
Thursday, November 24, 2016
Week 8 (part 2/2) - Prototype and presentation
WEEK 8
On Friday we held one more presentation to some other groups. This time the presentation was more about the prototype, that we have been working with during the last week.
Linda and other Computer Science students did a great job while making an actual app, that for example uses google maps in order to provide a view of the available poles on map. Our prototype includes at the moment a login screen, a map, a possibility to search, examine and reserve charging stations plus a payment system and some other features like different side bars and menus to showcase the user interface.
Here are some screenshots of the UI:
The presentation
Our presentation including all the questions from the audience is available on:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xihZux8qtOY&feature=youtu.be
As been told, Matias' computer broke up suddenly only hours before the show. Thus, we were not able to show any slides during the presentation, which was a shame.
However, all together the presantion went quite well. We had rehearsed our parts and what we wanted to say, so the speaking part went pretty smoothly, even though there were some difficulties at the beginning. We stated clearly who we are and what we do.
Still, it was a clear mistake to stand in front of the screen so that some of the audience could not see the presantion of the app. We focused too much on the functionalities and not the story and what was cool in the app. We also have to be more lively and practice the use of our body language.
The audience asked some really tough questions and we were not able to answer all of them very convincingly. In our opinion, we have to once more clarify our concept as a group, so issues like verification of the client are clear to all of us. Only after that we are also able to present to the audience. Tuomo gave an usefull advice as well: Sometimes our group should not try give an answer, especially if we are not sure about it. In those cases an answer like "We will figure it out" would be much safer and give a better image of our group.
During week 9 we will develop our app and code some more features to it. It is also time to think about the presentation, the poster and other such things. This week was a really tough one, including all the technical difficulties. Hopefully next week will be a bit better and what would a better way to start it than go and buy a new laptop!
- Matias
On Friday we held one more presentation to some other groups. This time the presentation was more about the prototype, that we have been working with during the last week.
Linda and other Computer Science students did a great job while making an actual app, that for example uses google maps in order to provide a view of the available poles on map. Our prototype includes at the moment a login screen, a map, a possibility to search, examine and reserve charging stations plus a payment system and some other features like different side bars and menus to showcase the user interface.
Here are some screenshots of the UI:
The presentation
Our presentation including all the questions from the audience is available on:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xihZux8qtOY&feature=youtu.be
As been told, Matias' computer broke up suddenly only hours before the show. Thus, we were not able to show any slides during the presentation, which was a shame.
However, all together the presantion went quite well. We had rehearsed our parts and what we wanted to say, so the speaking part went pretty smoothly, even though there were some difficulties at the beginning. We stated clearly who we are and what we do.
Still, it was a clear mistake to stand in front of the screen so that some of the audience could not see the presantion of the app. We focused too much on the functionalities and not the story and what was cool in the app. We also have to be more lively and practice the use of our body language.
The audience asked some really tough questions and we were not able to answer all of them very convincingly. In our opinion, we have to once more clarify our concept as a group, so issues like verification of the client are clear to all of us. Only after that we are also able to present to the audience. Tuomo gave an usefull advice as well: Sometimes our group should not try give an answer, especially if we are not sure about it. In those cases an answer like "We will figure it out" would be much safer and give a better image of our group.
During week 9 we will develop our app and code some more features to it. It is also time to think about the presentation, the poster and other such things. This week was a really tough one, including all the technical difficulties. Hopefully next week will be a bit better and what would a better way to start it than go and buy a new laptop!
- Matias
Friday, November 18, 2016
Week 8 (part 1/2) - Business model
WEEK 8
We have been discussing a little about the revenue logic through the blog posts. However, we wanted to wrap it all up into one single picture. So before we discuss about the events during week 8, here are our business model and revenue logic explained:
Revenue logic:
Picture 6: Potential revenue logic:
Our revenue logic is based on the value we give to our customers and stakeholders. These values are showcased by arrows in the picture 6
Car manafacturers: Our app makes using an EV easier, since it helps the owners to find the free charging stations efficiently. Thus, it makes owning an EV a more tempting option and could increase the revenue of the EV owners if they provide access to our app via smart phone or integrate it to the driving computer
EV Owners: Our app helps EV owners to find free charging stations, which is felt to be difficult at the moment. By providing a system that is easy to use and makes for example payment possible, our app gives them a great value.
EV charger owners: Our app helps EV charger owners to lease their plugs while they do not use one themselves. Thus, our app helps them to gain money which has a direct value to the EV charger owners.
Based on the value we provide, in our opinion there are three potential ways to generate money from the three actors:
Car manufacturers: Car manufacturers could pay a license fee for us, in order to make our service available to all their customers
EV owners: We could be able to generate money from the users either by showing them adds or different types of payments like access to a premium model.
EV Charger owners: We will take a small fee of every transaction to generate revenue. (Main source of revenue!)
-> The core of our revenue logic is to make a freemium app that has a wide customer base and get a somewhat 30% fee of every transaction.
Business model canvas:
Our business model is provided through the same link used in blog post 6:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1sn7YicEVp8jHiKhCFaiN-oSQ3neebo4puXeuhX2-2CE/edit#slide=id.p3
Key partners: Our key partners are car manufacturers, EV charging station manufacturers and public sector. Both types of manufacturers provide parts of the essential infrastructure. By co-operating with them, we could find new potential customers and get usefull insight about for technical issues related to loading the EV:s (experience icon in the previous picture). Public sector is also very important partner, since they could provide for example subsidies in order to enhance EV driving, or other type of support.
Key activities: Our key activity should not be forgotten! We are foremost an intermediator between EV driver and owner of the charging station. Our mission is to bring these two parts together, nothing else!
Key resources: First of all, one key resource is the wide customer base. Noone wants to use an app of only 10 or 20 poles. Then we have to be able to use the location data of the car and the poles to bring them together. Futhermore, while the app is all about the user experience, an user-friendly user interface is a key resource to the success.
Cost structure: Our running costs are low, as we don't have to do much after the launch. Our service should be coded so well, that there are no bugs or any other failures and the service could more or less to run on its own. Of course we need some staff to work around the tech support and development, in order to develop the service and answer customers inquiries.
Customer relations: Our customer relations are based on the active presence in social media. Social media is an efficient way to reach the targeted group and does not cost much, that is very important issue for a small startup. As been said, an active collaboration with the stakeholders is equally important, since the app requires not only customers but infrastructure to work.
Customer Segments: As been named, our three customer segments are EV owners, EV charger owners and car manufacturers, of which the two before mentioned are much more likelier.
Channel: Our app will be available for free in different app stores. In the future EV manufacturers might want to include it directly to their EV:s
Value Proposition and Revenue Stream: These two have been discussed thoroughly in the previous section.
The size of the business
At the moment, the cost of loading an EV could be something around 2€ per 100 kilometres. Because of the amount of EV:s is low at the moment in Finland, our app would not be very big business instantly. In addition, our comission has to be reasonable. For example Virta takes rough 30% of every transaction, which means we would propably get fees that are on average 1-2€ or even less per loading. In order to get the first clients, our app has to be more or less a freemium version so the payments from the EV drivers would not generate much money either.
However, since the concept is great and the amount of EV:s will propably sharply rise in the future, our idea could be a perfect startupp for 3-5 persons. Once the team gets a reasonable amount of customers into the app, in our opinion it would rise the interest of huge car manufacturers. B2B - type pricing model would generate much more revenue. Also, there is always a possibility to lauch the app abroad as well. So it is fair to say, that our concept has at least some potential to become a medium sized business. However, we wanted to be realistic and not base our revenue logic to assumptions.
We have been discussing a little about the revenue logic through the blog posts. However, we wanted to wrap it all up into one single picture. So before we discuss about the events during week 8, here are our business model and revenue logic explained:
Revenue logic:
Picture 6: Potential revenue logic:
Our revenue logic is based on the value we give to our customers and stakeholders. These values are showcased by arrows in the picture 6
Car manafacturers: Our app makes using an EV easier, since it helps the owners to find the free charging stations efficiently. Thus, it makes owning an EV a more tempting option and could increase the revenue of the EV owners if they provide access to our app via smart phone or integrate it to the driving computer
EV Owners: Our app helps EV owners to find free charging stations, which is felt to be difficult at the moment. By providing a system that is easy to use and makes for example payment possible, our app gives them a great value.
EV charger owners: Our app helps EV charger owners to lease their plugs while they do not use one themselves. Thus, our app helps them to gain money which has a direct value to the EV charger owners.
Based on the value we provide, in our opinion there are three potential ways to generate money from the three actors:
Car manufacturers: Car manufacturers could pay a license fee for us, in order to make our service available to all their customers
EV owners: We could be able to generate money from the users either by showing them adds or different types of payments like access to a premium model.
EV Charger owners: We will take a small fee of every transaction to generate revenue. (Main source of revenue!)
-> The core of our revenue logic is to make a freemium app that has a wide customer base and get a somewhat 30% fee of every transaction.
Business model canvas:
Our business model is provided through the same link used in blog post 6:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1sn7YicEVp8jHiKhCFaiN-oSQ3neebo4puXeuhX2-2CE/edit#slide=id.p3
Key partners: Our key partners are car manufacturers, EV charging station manufacturers and public sector. Both types of manufacturers provide parts of the essential infrastructure. By co-operating with them, we could find new potential customers and get usefull insight about for technical issues related to loading the EV:s (experience icon in the previous picture). Public sector is also very important partner, since they could provide for example subsidies in order to enhance EV driving, or other type of support.
Key activities: Our key activity should not be forgotten! We are foremost an intermediator between EV driver and owner of the charging station. Our mission is to bring these two parts together, nothing else!
Key resources: First of all, one key resource is the wide customer base. Noone wants to use an app of only 10 or 20 poles. Then we have to be able to use the location data of the car and the poles to bring them together. Futhermore, while the app is all about the user experience, an user-friendly user interface is a key resource to the success.
Cost structure: Our running costs are low, as we don't have to do much after the launch. Our service should be coded so well, that there are no bugs or any other failures and the service could more or less to run on its own. Of course we need some staff to work around the tech support and development, in order to develop the service and answer customers inquiries.
Customer relations: Our customer relations are based on the active presence in social media. Social media is an efficient way to reach the targeted group and does not cost much, that is very important issue for a small startup. As been said, an active collaboration with the stakeholders is equally important, since the app requires not only customers but infrastructure to work.
Customer Segments: As been named, our three customer segments are EV owners, EV charger owners and car manufacturers, of which the two before mentioned are much more likelier.
Channel: Our app will be available for free in different app stores. In the future EV manufacturers might want to include it directly to their EV:s
Value Proposition and Revenue Stream: These two have been discussed thoroughly in the previous section.
The size of the business
At the moment, the cost of loading an EV could be something around 2€ per 100 kilometres. Because of the amount of EV:s is low at the moment in Finland, our app would not be very big business instantly. In addition, our comission has to be reasonable. For example Virta takes rough 30% of every transaction, which means we would propably get fees that are on average 1-2€ or even less per loading. In order to get the first clients, our app has to be more or less a freemium version so the payments from the EV drivers would not generate much money either.
However, since the concept is great and the amount of EV:s will propably sharply rise in the future, our idea could be a perfect startupp for 3-5 persons. Once the team gets a reasonable amount of customers into the app, in our opinion it would rise the interest of huge car manufacturers. B2B - type pricing model would generate much more revenue. Also, there is always a possibility to lauch the app abroad as well. So it is fair to say, that our concept has at least some potential to become a medium sized business. However, we wanted to be realistic and not base our revenue logic to assumptions.
Thursday, November 17, 2016
Week 7 - Coding of the prototype and receiving feedback
Week 7
Week seven began with some good news since we received an answer from the elbnb. Their email gave some interesting additional information before we started to build the prototype. We had a small conversation with the Virta contact person as well and we agreed to continue the convesation later. One spesific issue that came to light was the identification process. We had not given many thoughts to that part of the customer joyrney. However, it is very essential that the plugs are used correctly and by the right persons.
We felt ready to start building the very first version of our prototype. At this point it was clear that the prototype would be a small part of the final app, as the course staff suggested. We decided to focus first on the reservation and usage of the plugs. Furthermore, we wanted to have most of the UI ready.
Thus, on our meeting on thursday our recommended outcome was decided to be as followed:
1) Login / Register page
2) Actual Map
3) Possibility to reserve and use different plugs and see their details
4) Sidebar to demonstrate the UI and other functionalities
5) A demonstration of the payment system
On Friday we received information on the lecture about the future presentation and schedule so all the course arrangements are now very clear.
One important issue was that we should be able to build more functions on the prototype when the course continues on upcoming weeks. In addition, the app should be usable in our mobile devices so we could show it to potential users.
At this point everything seems to be just fine. Much of the analysis is done and Computer Science students seemed to be confident that we will have an awesome app. Next week is about presenting the app to the audience and testing the UI both internally and externally.
Week seven began with some good news since we received an answer from the elbnb. Their email gave some interesting additional information before we started to build the prototype. We had a small conversation with the Virta contact person as well and we agreed to continue the convesation later. One spesific issue that came to light was the identification process. We had not given many thoughts to that part of the customer joyrney. However, it is very essential that the plugs are used correctly and by the right persons.
We felt ready to start building the very first version of our prototype. At this point it was clear that the prototype would be a small part of the final app, as the course staff suggested. We decided to focus first on the reservation and usage of the plugs. Furthermore, we wanted to have most of the UI ready.
Thus, on our meeting on thursday our recommended outcome was decided to be as followed:
1) Login / Register page
2) Actual Map
3) Possibility to reserve and use different plugs and see their details
4) Sidebar to demonstrate the UI and other functionalities
5) A demonstration of the payment system
On Friday we received information on the lecture about the future presentation and schedule so all the course arrangements are now very clear.
One important issue was that we should be able to build more functions on the prototype when the course continues on upcoming weeks. In addition, the app should be usable in our mobile devices so we could show it to potential users.
At this point everything seems to be just fine. Much of the analysis is done and Computer Science students seemed to be confident that we will have an awesome app. Next week is about presenting the app to the audience and testing the UI both internally and externally.
Friday, November 4, 2016
Week 6 - Value proposition canvases and presentation
Week 6
Schedule of the week
At the end of the week 6, we were asked to hold a presentation about the current state of the project. We decided to present the content as we would have been asking more funding to develop our prototype from the R&D managers. Thus, much of the week dealt with making and practicing the presentation. We divided different topics at the beginning of the week to be worked with individually.
Before our meeting on Thursday Tuomo, a member of the course staff, called our project manager Matias and gave some usufull advices considering our working structure and the whole project. He suggested us to especially concentrate on the cohesion of the text. For example he mentioned that in the different part of text we used different kinds of terms and words to describe the same thing. Since we are forced to make much of the work on our own, it is an issue we really have to consider. He also suggested Skype meetings and gave other usefull advises.
As been said, we met on Thursday and Friday morning to practice the presention. All together, it went quite well. We told the audience how we have achieved some good results. Our concept is proven to work and it has great business potential. Furthermore there are no direct competitors in Finland whereas in Sweden elbnb, a company with more or less the same concept, has been succesfull. We also told how we have moved on to the field work to figure out the necessary customer needs before building the prototype.
One problem that occurred during the investigation of customer requirements is the huge difference in techniques and plugs that are used in EV:s.
Picture 6: An illustration of the time required to charge the EV
State of the fieldwork
Considering the actual fieldwork, at the moment we have have four groups to be interviewed:
1) Potential EV owners
2) Current EV and charging plug owners
3) Companies such as Elbnb and Virta
4) Car manufacturers
We have sent e-mails to for example elbnb and car manufacturers. We have been making a questionnaire to potential and current owners of EV and charging stations and searched actively targeted consumers plus actually found some. We also have one contact from Virta. Thus, the state of the fieldwork is all right and we hope to see results on next week before starting to make to prototype based on them.
Here is a link to our questionnaire:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeVea9L8cLy6XP3-XzhZKZGw9q3HeNoKaUQatqDRooCMxtUAQ/viewform?c=0&w=1
Value proposition canvases
We have been working around value proposition canvas during last couple of weeks. I thought it might be a good idea to provide a link to it here. Furthermore, we have also included our recent business model canvas to the same document.
The canvases are available in:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1sn7YicEVp8jHiKhCFaiN-oSQ3neebo4puXeuhX2-2CE/edit#slide=id.p3
Feel free to check them :)
Schedule of the week
At the end of the week 6, we were asked to hold a presentation about the current state of the project. We decided to present the content as we would have been asking more funding to develop our prototype from the R&D managers. Thus, much of the week dealt with making and practicing the presentation. We divided different topics at the beginning of the week to be worked with individually.
Before our meeting on Thursday Tuomo, a member of the course staff, called our project manager Matias and gave some usufull advices considering our working structure and the whole project. He suggested us to especially concentrate on the cohesion of the text. For example he mentioned that in the different part of text we used different kinds of terms and words to describe the same thing. Since we are forced to make much of the work on our own, it is an issue we really have to consider. He also suggested Skype meetings and gave other usefull advises.
As been said, we met on Thursday and Friday morning to practice the presention. All together, it went quite well. We told the audience how we have achieved some good results. Our concept is proven to work and it has great business potential. Furthermore there are no direct competitors in Finland whereas in Sweden elbnb, a company with more or less the same concept, has been succesfull. We also told how we have moved on to the field work to figure out the necessary customer needs before building the prototype.
One problem that occurred during the investigation of customer requirements is the huge difference in techniques and plugs that are used in EV:s.
Picture 6: An illustration of the time required to charge the EV
State of the fieldwork
Considering the actual fieldwork, at the moment we have have four groups to be interviewed:
1) Potential EV owners
2) Current EV and charging plug owners
3) Companies such as Elbnb and Virta
4) Car manufacturers
We have sent e-mails to for example elbnb and car manufacturers. We have been making a questionnaire to potential and current owners of EV and charging stations and searched actively targeted consumers plus actually found some. We also have one contact from Virta. Thus, the state of the fieldwork is all right and we hope to see results on next week before starting to make to prototype based on them.
Here is a link to our questionnaire:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeVea9L8cLy6XP3-XzhZKZGw9q3HeNoKaUQatqDRooCMxtUAQ/viewform?c=0&w=1
Value proposition canvases
We have been working around value proposition canvas during last couple of weeks. I thought it might be a good idea to provide a link to it here. Furthermore, we have also included our recent business model canvas to the same document.
The canvases are available in:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1sn7YicEVp8jHiKhCFaiN-oSQ3neebo4puXeuhX2-2CE/edit#slide=id.p3
Feel free to check them :)
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Week 5 - Search of interviewees and information
WEEK 5
During week 5 we began to actively search for interviewees. It was more easier said than done since none of us actually knew anybody who would have own an EV straight away. Thus, the very first task was to ask if any of our closest relatives and friends would know someone. For example our parents promised that they would try to find usufull contacts in their working places.
Also, it clearly helps to keep eyes and ears open whenever and whenever considering our project. Matias met on Saturday one older IEM student, who appared to work in Virta, a startup that works with the EV plugs. His dad also gave me some helpfull information about the different EV parking spaces in Kesko's supermarkets.
As been said, we were able to find plenty of more articles related to elbnb, the Swedish startup that uses somewhat same idea than we came up with. It clearly has boosted up the amount of EV plugs in Sweden in just couple of weeks which confirms that we are in the right track. We familiarized ourselves with the core functionalities of the service and thought of how the service could be improved. Linda also sent an email to them and we look forward to get an answer from them, that would be really beneficial considering our project.
If you want to read more about elbnb, here are some usefull websites:
http://elbnb.se/
http://www.thelocal.se/20160706/airbnb-for-electric-cars-launched-in-sweden
https://cleantechnica.com/2016/07/08/swedens-elbnb-like-airbnb-ev-chargers/
We had a meeting once again on Thursday. Juuso announced that he would travel to Singapore for two weeks. He promised to start work with the "mock-up" while abroad, which could be according to him done remote. Matias and Väinö decided to hold the presentation. Otherwise everything seemed to be satisfaying and each of us could continue the work on their own. Since most of us work at least three days a week, much of the work is done remote.
As a reference for the prototype, we decided to use Uber. Uber's user interface and experience is among the best solutions.
Picture 5: Ubers user interface
We will meet once again on Thursday and on Friday the course continiues.
During week 5 we began to actively search for interviewees. It was more easier said than done since none of us actually knew anybody who would have own an EV straight away. Thus, the very first task was to ask if any of our closest relatives and friends would know someone. For example our parents promised that they would try to find usufull contacts in their working places.
Also, it clearly helps to keep eyes and ears open whenever and whenever considering our project. Matias met on Saturday one older IEM student, who appared to work in Virta, a startup that works with the EV plugs. His dad also gave me some helpfull information about the different EV parking spaces in Kesko's supermarkets.
As been said, we were able to find plenty of more articles related to elbnb, the Swedish startup that uses somewhat same idea than we came up with. It clearly has boosted up the amount of EV plugs in Sweden in just couple of weeks which confirms that we are in the right track. We familiarized ourselves with the core functionalities of the service and thought of how the service could be improved. Linda also sent an email to them and we look forward to get an answer from them, that would be really beneficial considering our project.
If you want to read more about elbnb, here are some usefull websites:
http://elbnb.se/
http://www.thelocal.se/20160706/airbnb-for-electric-cars-launched-in-sweden
https://cleantechnica.com/2016/07/08/swedens-elbnb-like-airbnb-ev-chargers/
We had a meeting once again on Thursday. Juuso announced that he would travel to Singapore for two weeks. He promised to start work with the "mock-up" while abroad, which could be according to him done remote. Matias and Väinö decided to hold the presentation. Otherwise everything seemed to be satisfaying and each of us could continue the work on their own. Since most of us work at least three days a week, much of the work is done remote.
As a reference for the prototype, we decided to use Uber. Uber's user interface and experience is among the best solutions.
Picture 5: Ubers user interface
We will meet once again on Thursday and on Friday the course continiues.
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