In a bold step toward revolutionizing smart mobility, CanaryBit, Volvo, and Ericsson have joined forces under the Cotwin project, a collaborative initiative aimed at creating secure, privacy-preserving data-sharing infrastructure for the transport sector.
What sets this project apart is not just its cutting-edge technology, but the fact that it’s currently being reviewed by the Swedish Authority for Privacy Protection (IMY) within its regulatory sandbox, a rare and forward-thinking move that could shape the future of data governance in mobility.
This is the first time a regulatory sandbox is reviewing a project involving Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) technology.
About Cotwin
The Cotwin project is the second initiative to enter the Swedish Authority for Privacy Protection’s (IMY) regulatory sandbox. However, it is the first to explore the legal and privacy implications of using TEE for confidential computing in real-time data sharing between vehicles and infrastructure
Cotwin (Collaborative Digital Twins for Smart Mobility) is a pilot project led by MobilityXlab and Lindholmen Science Park, funded by Vinnova. Its goal is to demonstrate how real-time data from vehicles and infrastructure can be securely shared and monetized, all while complying with privacy regulations.
At the heart of the project is a Volvo truck equipped with 5G antennas and onboard cameras. As it captures video of road signs and traffic conditions, the data is transmitted via Ericsson’s 5G network to a secure processing environment powered by CanaryBit’s technology. This environment leverages “Trusted Execution Environment (TEE)” to process sensitive data without exposing it, ensuring that any personal information remains protected.
Innovating with Privacy
Shared data plays a crucial role in enhancing traffic safety by helping authorities such as the Swedish Traffic Administration (Trafikverket) prevent accidents and optimize traffic flow. Data contributes to urban efficiency, as real-time insights enable better resource allocation across cities.
Recognizing the complexity and sensitivity of processing traffic data, the sandbox allows IMY to provide deep regulatory guidance while the project is still in development, helping participants strike the right balance between innovation and data protection.
IMY’s regulatory sandbox is the first of its kind globally to formally review Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) technology in a privacy context, marking a significant milestone not just for Sweden, but for global efforts to align privacy regulation with technological innovation.
Other agencies may be watching closely, as this sandbox could become a blueprint for how to regulate emerging privacy technologies without stifling innovation.
With this project, Sweden is demonstrating global leadership in privacy by integrating strong privacy principles into mobility innovation from the very beginning that could redefine the future of transportation!
