Legal Challenges of a Transformation from a Product-Centric to a Service-Centric Business Model and Procedures

This book provides a comprehensive examination of the key legal issues related to the implementation of digital servitisation in mobility business models, focusing particularly on autonomous vehicles. The investigation explores three primary areas of concern. Firstly, it analyses the role of autonomous vehicles within digital servitisation mobility business models, addressing the legal classification of these vehicles and the implications of swarm intelligence. This book informs the evaluation of legal relationships between entities that create value through digital mobility services and the underlying technologies, particularly in relation to autonomous vehicles. Secondly, it considers the legal status and rights of customers in various capacities, including drivers, passengers, and consumers of transportation services provided by autonomous vehicles offering digital service options. Distinguishing these aspects is crucial, as customers are the ultimate beneficiaries of the product-service systems linked to the deployment of autonomous vehicles. Given the complex and multi-stakeholder landscape surrounding these vehicles, customers are exposed to potential risks, especially concerning privacy protection, cybersecurity, and the effective enforcement of consumer rights. The third area highlights the resources required to implement digital business models, including digital platforms. Digital platforms are integral to the ecosystem of entities that create and deliver digital mobility services. Their market position necessitates the establishment of appropriate legal regulations to mitigate their influence. This book is aimed at academic researchers and students, as well as legal professionals associated with vehicle manufacturers and their partners engaged in providing digital mobility services. This demographic encompasses car-sharing companies, digital platform providers, and technology suppliers that facilitate these services, including software for vehicle connectivity and positioning technologies.