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Internet Of Things: EMLYON MBA Boosts Car Fuel Economy With Data-Crunching Device

Michaël Fernandez-Ferri’s high-tech smart sensor saves drivers up to 30% on their fuel costs

Mon May 30 2016

BusinessBecause
With the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), cars are becoming increasingly connected within the wider digital sphere.

Tech firms like Apple and Google are entering the automotive space. And in the future, smartphone-controlled driverless cars, linked to smart homes and smart roads, could change the face of the industry forever.

Michaël Fernandez-Ferri is an MBA graduate from France’s EMLYON Business School. He’s co-founded Drust, a high-tech, Paris-based start-up, driving innovation in the automotive industry.

The firm’s first product – AKOLYT – is a smart sensor which plugs into a vehicles on-board diagnostics (OBD) port, and gathers and transfers data instantly, via Bluetooth, to a smart-phone app.

Marketed as a personal driving assistant, the device relays real-time information about brake patterns, gear changes, speed and maintenance issues, in an effort to improve fuel economy and driver experience. It can save a driver up to 30% on fuel costs.

Prior to his MBA, Michaël spent five years working as a powertrain engineer at French car manufacturer PSA Peugeot Citroën. After graduation, he joined forces with his former colleagues and co-founded Drust, determined to be part of the automotive industry’s future.

How did the idea to start Drust come about? 

We were struck by the energy and money that is invested by carmakers to make minor incremental improvements in vehicle efficiency.

While technology can very slightly improve a car’s fuel efficiency from one product generation to another, a much bigger improvement can be achieved by the driver himself.

We decided to get in touch with drivers to educate them and share our powertrain engineering knowledge through a user-friendly product. Our aim is to make driving greener, safer, cheaper, and more enjoyable.

How will you adapt to the onset of communally owned, autonomous vehicles? 

An autonomous car is still a car! And to be a sustainable means of transportation, it will still need to optimize its efficiency.

Today, our software is orientated towards human drivers, but the same algorithms can be used in the future to help a bot make decisions on how to change gears and when to replace tires.

We’re not making a connected object for cars but rather an object to connect cars. IoT Solutions like AKOLYT can upgrade any car of today to the connected services of tomorrow.

What challenges do you face?

Bringing value to drivers in a competitive time-to-market is our daily digest.

In the long run, we need to find ways to keep on delivering this value to the end user when cars will have built-in connectivity and the whole value chain re-shaped.

What advice do you have for MBAs looking to start their own business? 

Keep the faith! It’s a long and epic journey, but definitely worth it.

You’re going to face fierce competition, management challenges and the need to convince customers, partners, and investors. Be aware of the ecosystem you’re evolving in and get ready to execute and pitch a thousand times with conviction. This is what will make the difference.

Why did you decide to pursue an MBA at EMLYON? 

To get the big picture of a company and to challenge myself beyond the technical.

EMLYON is a prestigious school where I knew I could trust the quality of the program. Plus, the focus on entrepreneurship definitely made it stand out.

How have you profited from your MBA experience? 

The MBA helped me leverage my own experience.

Every time I learnt a new concept or theory, I looked back at my own professional experience to better understand it. It’s crazy to realize that the things you don’t notice when they occur in a corporate context, are actually key in understanding the bigger picture of an organization.

Student Reviews

emlyon business school

Student

Verified

4/12/2023

On Campus

Intense courses, helpful professors

I am an international student in my 3rd year and I love going to this school and do not regret chosing it for my BBA. The classes are helpful, professors are always there to help as well and we have a very understanding administration.

Student

Verified

18/03/2023

On Campus

Leadership in an amazing city

I decided to do my exchange in Emlyon because I wanted to get out of my comfort zone, and I found a space with very capable People.. participatory, empathetic and full of leadership. I will never forget Lyon, apart from giving me an unforgettable experience, he gave me great friends

Student

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23/11/2021

On Campus

A lot of opportunities professionally and socially. A unique program in France.

You can choose your courses and do your internship, exchange whenever you want. It's flexible and adapted to the needs of each student. A great program and a great city! Professionally, it opens a lot of doors for you to find internships or jobs in France or abroad thanks to the network and career events.

Fabian

Verified

7/06/2020

MSc in Digital Marketing

Combining both worlds into one, this course gave me all the on-demand technical skills in data science while maintaining a business-oriented approach. Thanks to the strong academic profile of this university I was able to secure an internship and full-time job at Amazon.

Student

Verified

14/10/2018

Top Business School fostering innovative entrepreneurs

EMLyon is one of the best business schools. The campuses, associations and courses offered provide the students with the best options to build the future they have chosen. The various opportunities to study and work abroad also offer a deeper understanding of the world, not only economy-wise but social, which helps the student become as well a better individual and not only a pre-formated business school student.

Student

Verified

9/06/2020

Emlyon campus in Paris

It has a great international community and you have access to many international tools, courses and professors. I had many networking events and workshops for students. Campus and some details of the program could have been improved or need to be bigger in order to have a better student life.

Student

Verified

21/11/2022

On Campus

Entrepreneurship

Overall good content and good activities. Lack of administration but still ok. Good flexibility and liberty offered to the students. Finally, the amount of internship is also a good way to improve qualifications.

Student

Verified

25/05/2020

Good Reputation and International Business School

The course was not well adapted but it was up to the mark. The professors are very well experienced and their experience comes in handy while working on assignments. The facilities on the campus are top class. Truly professional. I really like spending time in the learning hub and using all the available resources. Lyon is an amazing city. You will never get bored.

Edel

Verified

11/07/2024

On Campus

MSc International Hospitality Management

The best educational experience of my life so far! It’s been full of exposure and great connections. From Lyon to London, Paris, Los Angeles and Las Vegas! Truly an exceptional way to discover the world of hospitality.

Student

Verified

11/07/2024

On Campus

Real networking opportunities

- meeting new people, specially professionals during seminars or evening meeting at school. - going abroad to study luxury - being involved as an ambassador to promote the school and the program I was into (MSc LMM) - having such a great professional core

Daphné

Verified

14/07/2024

On Campus

white baccalaureate in the world of work

I really appreciated the MS SDAI as a whole. The teaching staff, the different subjects, the university exchange, TEM... I started my internship in a consulting firm having acquired a solid foundation. Downside for CentraleSupélec, which I found far too academic for a program such as this.

Student

Verified

11/09/2024

On Campus

Great

Pretty great ! Emlyon business school is a top educational institution known for its outstanding academic programs, nurturing environment, and state-of-the-art facilities. It fosters creativity, critical thinking, and leadership in students.

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