Cancun, Quintana Roo — The Andres Quintana Roo taxi union launched a new technology platform Monday, partnering with Flywheel to equip cabs with 360-degree cameras, panic buttons, and real-time GPS tracking in an effort to boost safety and modernize service.
The initiative begins with 50 vehicles outfitted with video surveillance cameras, panic buttons, and geolocation systems linked to the state’s C5 command center and the union’s own monitoring hub. The union aims to expand to at least 200 vehicles within a month.
Union Secretary General Ruben Carrillo Buenfil said the future of public transport depends on innovation. The new equipment includes two 360-degree cameras per taxi, connected to both the C5 and the union’s 24-hour monitoring center. The system also features facial recognition AI, ride-sharing capabilities, and real-time trip tracking.
“The recordings can serve as evidence in case of accidents, security incidents, or any situation that needs clarification during a service,” Carrillo Buenfil said.
Flywheel CEO Izzy Aala said Cancun is a strategic market due to its tourism importance and the union’s commitment to innovation. The app offers multiple payment methods and safety features for both domestic and international passengers.
Rafael Hernandez Kotasek, director of the Quintana Roo Mobility Institute (Imoveqroo), said the new taxis will begin operating immediately, mainly in the hotel zone, with a gradual expansion through the rest of the year. He noted that the cameras could also assist authorities by providing footage from daily patrols across hundreds of kilometers.
Flywheel already operates in dozens of cities and complies with Mexican regulations, Hernandez Kotasek added.
