U-Shift I - Mock-Up

Environment [2]

In the coming years, the three technology trends of highly automated driving, electromobility and digitalization/connectivity will become increasingly integrated, with the result that they will reinforce and accelerate each other. These technologies are already being pursued internationally with great commitment and speed. Together with the diversification of mobility, they have the potential to permanently change the automotive business model.

New product solutions, business models and (service) offerings are also being sought in order to counteract the lower added value of electric vehicles compared to conventional vehicles and thus the potential threat to job security. On the one hand, more and more "disruptive" solutions are being sought that support the necessary change much better than evolutionary developments in small steps. On the other hand, shaping the transition from old to new is a key aspect of success. The "on-the-road" modular vehicle concept for people and goods meets these challenges.

Goals [1]

The central objective of the "U-Shift I - Mock-Up" project is to demonstrate the highly innovative concept of "on-the-road" vehicle modularization in a 1:1 mock-up and thus make it more tangible for all those involved. Based on the automotive state of Baden-Württemberg, the aim is to create a platform for new products and business models that goes beyond evolutionary approaches and thus supports the transformation of the state's economy.

Goals in detail [1]

• First stage of implementation of the ModECaP feasibility study
• Proof of feasibility of the overall vehicle concept and its mechanical structure
• Provision of a platform for entering into a comprehensive discussion of possible business models and applications
• Demonstration of the pick-up and drop-off technology for the passenger capsule
• Demonstration of barrier-free access to the passenger capsule for people with reduced mobility

Description

The highly innovative vehicle concept consists of a U-shaped driving module, the so-called DriveBoard, and capsules that can be transported flexibly for various purposes. The main applications under consideration are passenger and freight transportation.
The consortium led by the German Aerospace Center presented the first drivable prototype at the interim balance sheet conference of the Baden-Württemberg Automotive Industry Strategy Dialogue in Stuttgart on September 17, 2020. The Driveboard is currently remote-controlled and is set to drive completely autonomously in the future. [3]
The Institute of Information Processing Technology (ITIV) at KIT is contributing a new type of electrical/electronic architecture to the project, which is based on flexible distributed services [3].
In the U-Shift I project, various preliminary work is being carried out to detail and realize the concept of the E/E architecture in U-Shift II.

Funding body

Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labor and Housing Baden-Württemberg

Duration

10/2019 - 12/2020

Project partner

• German Aerospace Center, Institute of Vehicle Concepts (project management)
• Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute for Information Processing Technology (ITIV)
• Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute for Vehicle Systems Technology (FAST)
• University of Ulm, Institute for Measurement, Control and Microtechnology (MRM)
• Research Institute for Automotive Engineering and Vehicle Engines Stuttgart (FKFS)

Sources:

1. Project website: https://verkehrsforschung.dlr.de/de/projekte/u-shift/u-shift-i-mock
2. Overall project description U-Shift I - Mock-Up
3. KIT News, Innovative technology for sustainable autonomous driving