With a new year ahead of us, we’ve been considering some of the main developments and areas of innovation we’ll be working with in 2026. Mobility has expanded well beyond ride-hailing; it increasingly spans a range of other services that make day-to-day life smoother and more convenient. Here are some of our observations on how the industry will evolve and grow in the year ahead:

1. Preventing risks before they materialize

Since the dawn of time, leaving one’s shelter has come with risks; so, when it comes to ride-hailing, safety is an evergreen issue.  In 2026, look out for a shift from reactive protection to predictive prevention, driven by advances in behavioural analytics and real-time risk modelling. 

Platforms will rely on contextual signals to spot potential threats before they happen, allowing systems to intervene earlier and more accurately. 

2. Watchwords for 2026: sustainability and efficiency

Expansion for its own sake will take a back seat to efficiency and sustainability, with companies concentrating on disciplined unit economics, optimising costs, and careful allocation of resources. 

At the same time,  expect to see the consolidation of ride-hailing platforms accelerating.  Companies that have successfully adapted to market conditions after 2022 will become increasingly attractive candidates for acquisitions and strategic partnerships, while weaker players will look for chances to consolidate. The result? The sector will solidify around a few resilient long-term operators. 

3. Superapps will put utility first

Mobility platforms and superapps will use high-frequency services that people use everyday –  like rides and groceries – to drive engagement in price-sensitive markets. Rather than piling on new features, the focus will be on keeping things reliable, affordable, and easy to use. Also, look out for an increase in embedded fintech solutions that allow platforms to grow their ecosystems and develop greater loyalty among the people using them.

4. Supply networks go hybrid

Self-driving vehicles have definitely entered the chat. In 2026, mobility platforms will start combining autonomous and human-driven vehicles into the same supply networks, with so-called “robotaxis” handling more predictable routes, and human drivers working where judgment, flexibility, and human interaction are needed. AI copilots will be there to assist with navigation, compliance, and immediate hazard detection.

5. From online to offline – seamlessly

Mobility ecosystems will connect what happens in the app with what happens in the real world more smoothly, making booking, trips, deliveries, and follow-ups feel seamless. 

At the same time, improved devices and battery technology will support more reliable, always-on app use. Better hardware will make multitasking, tracking, and longer sessions easier, so that people engage more consistently with mobility apps throughout the day.

There are challenges, opportunities, and wild new innovations in store in the coming year. Hold on to your seats, it’s going to be an interesting one...