Benteler acquires ioki from Deutsche Bahn to build an integrated platform for autonomous public transport

Benteler Group has signed an agreement to acquire ioki from Deutsche Bahn AG, aiming to expand its autonomous mobility activities.

The transaction, announced on January 5, will bring the leading European provider of software-based mobility solutions into the German-based Benteler Group. Financial details were not disclosed, and closing is expected in the near future.

Benteler takes over ioki

With the acquisition, Holon (Benteler’s autonomous vehicles brand), ioki and Benteler Mobility will operate as an integrated structure covering vehicles, software and operations for autonomous mobility. Holon contributes the autonomous Holon Urban shuttle, ioki adds platform, routing and public-transport integration software, while Benteler Mobility provides operational services and fleet financing, Benteler states in a press note.

Benteler highlights that as a result of the takeover, “cities, transit agencies, and mobility providers gain access to a comprehensive, technologically advanced mobility offering from a single source – spanning vehicles, software, and operations. Data-driven analyses and simulations by ioki, for example, identify potential areas where autonomous vehicles such as the Holon urban can meaningfully complement and enhance public transport. Both the software and the vehicle are scalable and designed to work seamlessly together. This enables municipalities and operators to significantly reduce costs while simplifying the introduction of autonomous mobility services”.

Holon, the autonomous mobility subsidiary of Benteler Group and Tasaru Mobility Investments (Saudi investor) rebranded in 2022, presented its driverless shuttle for the first time at CES 2023 in Las Vegas. and is now preparing for series production and market rollout of its first fully electric autonomous shuttle, the Holon Urban, showcased at UITP Summit in Hamburg in June. It features design by Pininfarina and sees Beep and Mobileye as development partners.

Founded in 2018, ioki employs more than 100 people and has supported over 200 transport services, reaching nearly 10 million passengers. Under Benteler ownership, ioki will continue to develop its driver-based ridepooling solutions and remain vehicle- and system-agnostic in the autonomous segment, allowing customers to deploy Holon vehicles or integrate other technologies, Benteler points out. The tech company powers, among others, on-demand transit service Wayla in Milan.

Benteler to become a unique provider

“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,” said Ralf Göttel, CEO of the Benteler Group. “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.”

Michael Barillère-Scholz, co-founder and CEO of ioki: “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.”

Sven Herzig, Chief Sales Officer (CSO) of Holon, and Tobias Liebelt, CEO of Benteler Mobility, added: “Holon, ioki, and Benteler Mobility share the same vision: to make sustainable mobility accessible to everyone – simple, safe, and reliable. Mobility is evolving, and together we are now the leading partner for this transformation. We support cities and operators in integrating autonomous mobility into their transport systems in a lasting and economically viable way.”