NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - June 30, 2017) - Global design and technology firm, IBI Group (TSX: IBG), has been shortlisted from a group of more than 200 participants from 25 countries, to be one of four finalists in NYC's Driverless Future Competition -- a challenge to shape the impact of autonomous transportation in partnership with the City of New York. The challenge was a call for proposals that will actively influence the city's response to driverless cars. A team of IBI Group transportation specialists, software developers and architectural designers from across five offices in the U.S. and Canada developed the concept for sAVe, a community-supported, mobility-as-a-service platform that offers multi-modal ridesharing services, including automated vehicles as they become available. Members of the team will pitch their concept to NYC government officials and private-sector mobility leaders, including Uber and Mercedes-Benz, on July 11 at a special edition of the monthly NY Tech Meetup, where the winner will be announced live.

"When we heard about the competition, we knew it was the perfect fit for us. We released a report earlier this year around driverless cars and cities, as part of IBI TH!NK's Pocket R&D initiative, and we were well positioned to take our research to the next level by developing an actionable solution," said Oliver Hartleben, IBI TH!NK Coordinator. "The assignment needed an interdisciplinary approach and we were able to leverage the expertise of young professionals from across the firm to produce a solution we are all very proud of." IBI TH!NK is a network of passionate individuals within the firm that transcend professional, geographical and age boundaries to produce solutions for actual urban problems.

As a finalist, IBI Group will receive a one-year flex membership to New Lab -- an interdisciplinary space in the vibrant Brooklyn Navy Yard designed to support entrepreneurs working in emerging technologies. Here, team members will be able to realize their proposal, supported by the larger IBI TH!NK network. The July 11^th pitch offers finalists the opportunity to present their concept to an expert panel of top government officials, leading technologists and venture capitalists, in front of hundreds of public attendees; essentially a "shark tank" for designers and innovators. The event will be streamed live, and the winning team will receive a $2,500 cash prize.

IBI Group's concept, sAVe, is a multi-modal ridesharing platform that provides trip service in transportation-underserved neighborhoods and connects residents to public transit hubs that they may not otherwise be able to access quickly and conveniently. Available at community kiosks or as a smartphone app, the platform will leverage existing public infrastructure without increasing the number of private vehicles in already-congested areas. It will also serve to introduce autonomous vehicles (AVs) to new populations who may not otherwise get to experience or benefit from this technology. To learn more about the concept, view the video which was part of the team's proposal: https://youtu.be/ix-gM9nYDsE

IBI Group professionals design intelligent transportation systems and facilities around the world, including New York's statewide 511 traveler information system. The firm's transportation planners are actively working on transportation masterplans for cities that consider the advent of autonomous vehicle technology. It also works closely with major auto manufacturers like GM and is presently designing test tracks in the Mojave Desert that will eventually test fully autonomous vehicles.

About IBI Group
IBI Group Inc. (TSX: IBG) is a globally integrated architecture, planning, engineering, and technology firm with over 2,500 professionals around the world. For more than 40 years, its dedicated professionals have helped clients create livable, sustainable, and advanced urban environments. IBI Group believes that cities must be designed with intelligent systems, sustainable buildings, efficient infrastructure, and a human touch. Follow us on Twitter @ibigroup and check out our TH!NK by IBI blog.

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