Dromos aims to replace the subway and other public transport systems and revolutionize commuter traffic with robotaxis and drones. Bringing the joy of mobility back to cities is the Munich-based startup's self-imposed mission. Find out everything you need to know in our 7 questions.
1. Who are you and what do you do? Please briefly introduce yourself and your startup!
We — Lars Herold, Antje Völker, and Martin Dürr — worked together two decades ago and wondered for a long time why we talk about robotaxis and drones, but no one has developed a sustainable concept for high-density commuter traffic in cities around the world.
This is how we created Dromos: Dromos develops, builds, and operates the optimal solution for urban transport in the 21st century: With individual vehicles for 1-2 people, on-demand around the clock, autonomous, traffic-free, and thus faster than any subway, urban mobility is being revolutionized and realized at construction and operating costs that are about half that of established transport systems.
In addition, the elimination of combustion engines reduces emissions and noise; minimal construction times and minimal infrastructure measures also make Dromos attractive to urban planners. With its consortium partners from the automotive industry and infrastructure, Dromos is bringing the joy of mobility back to cities—for both city administrations and end customers.
“Don’t adopt old paradigms”
2. But that has been around for a long time!
Of course, subways and commuter trains have been around for over 100 years. But that's the problem: Nothing has changed in ages. We offer fast, 24/7 on-demand transportation in privacy for the price of two lanes—that's unprecedented! And cities are happy about it, too: construction and operating costs are halved, land use is halved, and air quality is also improved by electric drives.
3. What are the three main ingredients for your recipe for success?
a. Experience and knowledge of what urban mobility really needs
b. Reimagine everything — don’t adopt old paradigms
c. Integrate the latest technology from the best providers
Demand exists worldwide
4. Let’s get down to business: How is business going?
We plan to open our first pilot plant in 2020 and we have a lot of demand from cities around the world.
5. What does Munich mean to you?
Munich offers access to many high-tech companies and an excellent talent pool. Furthermore, Munich is a Crystallization point for mobility concepts of the future and should continue to live up to this role in the future.
Dromos has its sights set on unicorn status
6. How will your startup become the next unicorn? Or will we see you soon at Epic Fail Night?
At €5 trillion, our market is three times the size of the global automotive industry, and we expect an average project size of over €1 billion. Given the existing global demand, we are very confident of joining the unicorn list.
7. Pork knuckle or fish on a stick?
Fish on a stick is a little more sustainable!
