Transfer

Networked into the Digital Future – 5th Thuringian Mobility Forum in the "Business Meets Science" Format

Together with automotive thüringen e.V. and the Thuringian ClusterManagement, the Thüringer Innovationszentrum Mobilität (ThIMo) at the TU Ilmenau hosted the "Thuringian Mobility Forum" in mid-September 2022, now for the fifth time since its foundation. In addition, two automated minibuses that will soon be integrated into Ilmenau's bus service as part of the CAMIL project were presented at the Forum.

Wissenschaftler und Unternehmensvertreter tauschen sich bei der Firmenausstellung des 5. Thüringer Forums Mobilität im Foyer des Humboldtbau der TU Ilmenau aus ari
Networking with research partners, companies and municipal stakeholders was the focus of the 5th Thuringian Mobility Forum at the TU Ilmenau

Mobility is and remains a central aspect of our modern society, especially in view of the changes in climate, demographics, digitalization and security of supply. The transformation of the vehicle and supplier industry and the need for sustainable transfer formats are leading to unforeseen dynamics, and market developments are more difficult than ever to assess and capture in strategies and concepts. Complex technological trends have a multi-layered effect or are potentially even disruptive. It is therefore no longer enough to talk about the transformation of the automotive industry – it is necessary to shape a transport turnaround and to see the mobility turnaround as an opportunity:

Networked: With research partners, companies and municipal stakeholders.

Networked: Through intelligent technologies and infrastructures.

Networked: In face-to-face meetings, which have become possible again on a larger scale after the COVID19 restrictions.

Expert lectures, laboratory tours and technology showcase

About 120 participants responded to this call to the TU Ilmenau and informed themselves in expert lectures, during laboratory tours as well as at the technology showcase on the Gustav-Kirchhoff-Platz. In highly interesting keynotes, for example, Kirsten Pfaue, coordinator for the mobility transition of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, reported on digitization as a building block of the transportation transition. Dr. Tobias Düser of AVL Deutschland presented mobility systems of the future, and Prof. Dr. Tjark Siefkes of the DLR Institute of Vehicle Concepts, Stuttgart, discussed critical factors in the development of automated driving. He had brought the U-Shift concept vehicle and other technology demonstrators for the outdoor portion of the event. The U-Shift system, which consists of an electric chassis and interchangeable body attachments, met with lively visitor interest.

The ThIMo itself opened its research laboratories in the fields of vehicle technology, radio technology and plastics technology. Curious looks were also attracted by the two automated minibuses of the Ilmenau bus service, which were officially put into service in the morning as part of the CAMIL project, and whose scheduled operation is scientifically accompanied by the ThIMo as part of a project family for automated and networked driving in public transport. A third shuttle bus, which is used exclusively for research purposes, was on display in the Virtual Street together with the brand-new measurement technology for bistatic radar investigations.

Another eye-catcher was the Ilmenau "Formula Student" team Starcraft with its "electric" and "driverless" vehicles.

In addition to a lively company exhibition, a company contact exchange formed part of the forum for the first time, bringing together the concrete career interests of students with the needs of interested companies. This "It's a match" format showed great potential and will be further developed for future events.

Contact

Dr. Carsten Schauer

Executive Officer, Thüringer Innovationszentrum Mobilität

Impressions of the 5th Thuringian Mobility Forum