A major event in Johannesburg this week brought together carmakers, startups, and investors to explore the future of smart transport. The focus was on using AI to improve how people move through cities. From safer buses to delivery drones, companies showed off tools designed to make transport faster, cheaper, and cleaner.
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Startups demonstrated AI-powered traffic systems that adjust lights based on car flow. Some used satellite data to improve route planning. One group of students even built a smart wheelchair that uses voice commands and sensors to move around tight indoor spaces.
Big car brands joined the conversation too. Several showcased electric cars that use machine learning to boost battery life. Others focused on driver-assist features like lane keeping and collision alerts. Many of these tools were built with African roads in mind, where conditions vary widely and internet access is not always steady.
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Local app developers also gained attention. One team from Cape Town built a ride-sharing platform that works even without full-time internet. It sends SMS-based updates to drivers and riders in remote areas. This kind of work shows how developers can build useful tools that work across all parts of the continent.
Investors showed growing interest in these solutions. Several seed-stage startups secured meetings with global backers at the event. Their products solve real local challenges and could scale beyond South Africa.
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This expo proved that African cities are not just waiting for global companies to bring solutions. They are building them locally with smart minds and simple tools. AI is no longer a far-off idea. It is already helping people travel more safely and work more efficiently in real-world settings.
