Smart parking and urban mobility. KaiVis, a Swiss startup, targets the search for a space

Urban mobility is often discussed in terms of major industry transformations: electric vehicles, public transportation, car sharing and autonomous driving infrastructure. Yet a less conspicuous, more everyday problem remains closely linked to the efficiency of urban journeys: finding a parking space.

For millions of motorists, particularly in congested urban areas, locating an available space is a process characterized by uncertainty. Information about parking availability may be incomplete, outdated or difficult to access, forcing drivers to search for alternatives directly on the road.

The result is a problem that extends beyond individual motorists. The search for parking takes place within an urban system in which traffic, space availability, parking management and the distribution of commercial activities are closely interconnected. Improving the quality of information can therefore become a way to make the entire mobility experience more efficient.

The Hidden Cost of Searching for Parking

Looking for an available space first and foremost comes at a cost in terms of time. When drivers do not have access to reliable information, they may be forced to drive along the same streets repeatedly, change their route or move farther away from their intended destination.

This behavior, known in mobility research as cruising for parking, has been studied to understand its consequences for traffic and urban organization. A study published in Scientific Reports in 2022 examined the role of parking availability information in reducing parking-search behavior among delivery vehicle drivers. The research highlights how difficulties in finding a suitable space can contribute to additional driving and illegal stopping.

It is important, however, to avoid overgeneralizations: the impact varies depending on the city, the neighborhood, parking availability and traffic conditions. Not every vehicle searching for a space necessarily generates a significant increase in overall congestion. The issue lies instead in the accumulation of inefficiencies that better information management could help reduce.

Time also has an economic value. For private individuals, it can mean delays and lost productivity; for professionals who travel frequently, businesses or corporate fleets, it can translate into higher operating costs. In urban deliveries, difficulties in finding a suitable stopping place can also affect service times.

The issue therefore takes on a broader dimension: simply increasing the supply of parking spaces is not enough, since building new facilities is often constrained by land availability, infrastructure costs and traffic-management policies. Another approach is to improve the use of resources that already exist.

From Physical Availability to Digital Information

Part of the solution lies in the ability to gain a clearer understanding of what is happening across urban spaces. Digital technologies can collect, process and distribute information about parking availability, helping users make decisions before reaching a particular street.

Not all systems work in the same way. Some rely on sensors installed in parking spaces, cameras or connected infrastructure; others use aggregated data, signals collected from users' devices or algorithms capable of estimating the likelihood that a space is available.

Each approach has advantages and limitations. Dedicated sensors can provide precise information, but they require investment, maintenance and installation. Systems based on data and software can reduce the need for physical infrastructure, but they must demonstrate sufficient accuracy and maintain reliable performance under different urban conditions.

Access to up-to-date information is only the first step. To deliver a real benefit, data must be integrated into a simple user experience: drivers need to understand where to go, assess alternatives and reach their destination without having to interpret complex information.

This is where digital mobility can evolve from a collection of specialized applications into a broader service ecosystem. Navigation, parking, public transportation, points of interest and event information can become part of a single experience.

A Market for Cities and Businesses

Digitalizing parking is not only relevant to motorists. For public administrations, a better understanding of how parking spaces are used can help improve urban planning and identify areas where demand is highest.

Reliable data can help assess parking distribution, peak-demand periods and differences between neighborhoods. Its usefulness, however, depends on data quality, the representativeness of the information and the ability to translate findings into operational decisions.

A commercial market is also emerging. Platforms can develop B2C business models aimed at end users or B2B and B2G services for companies, mobility operators and public authorities. Potential revenue streams include subscriptions, premium services, commercial partnerships and data analytics tools.

The challenge is turning a useful feature into a sustainable product. An application may attract downloads without generating recurring usage or sufficient revenue. The market also demands reliability: if parking information frequently proves inaccurate, user trust can quickly decline.

For companies in the sector, the indicators to monitor therefore go beyond installation numbers. Active users, usage frequency, conversion rates to paid services, system accuracy and the ability to secure agreements with public and private partners all matter.

KaiVis and the Search for Smarter Mobility

KaiVis, a Swiss startup operating in urban mobility and smart parking, fits into this context. The company develops a platform that combines navigation, suggestions for places and events, and a proprietary system for identifying on-street parking availability in real time without relying on dedicated sensors, cameras or hardware.

According to the profile published on UCapital Dealflow, the application was available in the Milan area and had exceeded 10,000 downloads, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 at the time of its presentation. Its business model combines consumer-facing features with potential partnerships involving local authorities and businesses.

The project is therefore positioned in a market where the challenge is not simply to identify a parking space, but to make urban mobility information more accessible and useful.

To assess its development, it will be important to monitor active-user growth, information reliability, geographic expansion and the conversion of initial interest into recurring revenue. The potential development of partnerships with municipalities and local operators will be equally relevant.

The broader question concerns the entire sector: smart mobility does not depend exclusively on new infrastructure, but also on the ability to make better use of what already exists. If information can reduce uncertainty during journeys, parking could become one of the entry points for rethinking the relationship between motorists, digital services and cities.

KaiVis — "Real-Time Urban Parking & Mobility Platform"