New Mobility: On the Road to the Future with AI Support

Whether on land or in the air, transportation is on the verge of a revolution. Technological innovations, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), are paving the way for entirely new mobility concepts. In the future, the seamless coordination of all road users will ensure that we reach our destinations more efficiently, safely, and in an environmentally friendly manner.

Sensors and AI-based systems enabling autonomous driving will play a significant role. These systems can identify potential hazards and take action to prevent accidents. To achieve this, vast amounts of data must be captured and processed in real-time. Autonomous vehicles communicate directly with each other and exchange information not only about the current traffic situation, but also about the next intended driving maneuvers. This enables preventive avoidance strategies.

Numerous innovations are currently being tested and qualified for use in road traffic. As today’s AI systems are already adept at managing typical highway situations, so-called platoons - convoys of trucks driving closely together in an automated fashion - are likely to transition from the project phase to implementation in the near future. This approach significantly reduces fuel consumption and space requirements.

Air transportation is also facing major changes. Companies like Airbus and IABG’s subsidiary, ERC System GmbH, are developing electrically powered aircraft capable of vertical take-off and landing. These innovative transport solutions have the potential to play a crucial role in the modern transportation mix by easing urban traffic congestion with fast, short- to medium-distance connections.

An Immune System Against Cyber Attacks

However, highly connected vehicles introduce a new level of threat - cybercrime. Thus, it is critical to implement multiple layers of security, ranging from encrypted data transmission to secure communication protocols and regular updates.

In order to continuously monitor digital systems for vulnerabilities and prevent potential cyberattacks, IABG is developing AI systems capable of detecting anomalies with lightning speed. This provides every car, truck and even streetcar with a kind of immune system to autonomously defend against cyber threats.

The Mobility Innovation Campus: A Testing Ground for Autonomous Driving

As AI increasingly takes over more tasks in road traffic, rigorous testing and validation are essential. Ultimately, hardware and software must be coordinated in such a way that safety is maintained even in exceptional situations.

To this end, the Technical University of Munich and IABG have jointly established the Mobility Innovation Campus in Ottobrunn - a dedicated test site for autonomous driving. Automated and networked traffic systems and their safe operation are being researched here. The focus is on complex situations commonly encountered in urban traffic. One of the main areas of research is the interaction between autonomous vehicles and other road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists.

As the latter are not (yet) logged into the digital traffic network, they must first be detected and identified by camera or radar systems, for example. By validating and qualifying the systems in realistic tests, we demonstrate their suitability for everyday use to industry and transport operators.

Another Step Towards New Mobility

One project that has successfully transitioned from the lab to the road is the taxi waiting loop at Cologne Central Station, developed in collaboration with IABG. Here, waiting taxis are wirelessly charged via an inductive charging platform embedded in the ground. This allows for convenient recharging during waiting periods without the need for a cumbersome cable connection.

IABG: A Definitive Part of the Transport Revolution

Looking ahead, it’s clear that traditional modes of transportation and their established infrastructure still offer many opportunities for innovation and new business models. IABG is actively contributing to ensuring that we continue to travel safely and sustainably in the future.