Barcelona Innova Lab Mobility (BILM) is an urban mobility living lab led by the Mobility Area of Barcelona City Council, with operational support from BIT Habitat (Barcelona Institute of Technology for the Habitat) and Fira de Barcelona. Launched in 2023, the initiative designs real city spaces for pilot testing of innovative, sustainable urban mobility solutions — the first programme of its kind in Barcelona.
BILM operates through a challenge-based model, issuing thematic calls that invite startups, tech companies, and innovators to propose solutions addressing specific urban mobility problems. Each challenge typically offers €100,000–€200,000 in prize funding, and winning teams receive the opportunity to implement and test their solutions directly in Barcelona's streets under real-world conditions.
Since its launch, BILM has run multiple challenge cycles covering a range of mobility priorities. The first challenge targeted motorbike traffic safety. The second focused on optimising bus lane circulation and bus stop accessibility, won by US-based Hayden AI, which deployed bus-mounted camera enforcement systems. A third challenge addressed noise pollution through acoustic detection technology, motivated by the finding that urban mobility accounts for an estimated 85 percent of Barcelona's total noise levels. A fourth challenge sought AI-driven solutions for smart traffic light management. An additional call focused on urban freight distribution efficiency.
BILM is closely connected to the Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress, hosted annually at Fira de Barcelona, where challenge winners showcase their pilots. The programme has also received support from the European Institute of Innovation and Technology through EIT Urban Mobility. By combining municipal authority, technology expertise, and an international events platform, BILM provides a structured pathway from concept to real-city deployment for sustainable transport innovations.