Combitech is one of the project funders behind the “Smart City Concepts in Curitiba” innovation project. The aim of the project is to determine whether it is possible to travel more energy-efficiently in megacities and also to discover if it is possible to reduce greenhouse gas and particulate emissions, and reduce noise levels. The project, which is run by Sweden’s KTH Royal Institute of Technology, will result in a green bus line in Curitiba, Brazil.

As part of the project, rechargeable hybrid buses will be used, which means that several charging stations will need to be installed. By using information retrieved from the buses, including their position and range, coupled with data from the sensors across the city, such as traffic rhythm and traffic light schedules, recharging will be optimised.

This could reduce the number of charging stations that need to be installed and also cut waiting times at the recharging stations.

The research project will run for three years. Other project funders include defence and security group Saab, Volvo Buses and VINNOVA (Sweden’s innovation agency). Various stakeholders in Curitiba are also involved.