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Sep 26, 2020 at 7:37 PMThe German Aerospace Center (DLR) presents the U-Shift, a futuristic, modular vehicle concept. Recently, the first prototype was unveiled. The project is funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Housing of Baden-Württemberg with twelve million euros.
(Cologne/Stuttgart) Whether as an on-demand shuttle, high-tech call bus, a flexible distribution center for goods and packages, or as a mobile retail store – with the futuristic vehicle concept U-Shift, DLR is bringing new momentum to urban mobility and logistics of tomorrow. The first drivable prototype was presented by a research consortium led by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) at the interim conference of the Automotive Industry Strategy Dialogue Baden-Württemberg on September 17, 2020, in Stuttgart. The project is funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Housing of Baden-Württemberg with around twelve million euros.
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Modular Design: Driveboard Combined with Capsule
A central feature of the approach is the separation of the vehicle, called the Driveboard, and the capsule-shaped structures for transporting people or goods. The U-shaped drive unit contains all the expensive technical components and systems necessary for autonomous, electric, and quiet operation. For maximum efficiency, the Driveboard is designed to operate as much as possible around the clock. The significantly cheaper capsules can be designed for a variety of applications.
“We want to make tomorrow’s mobility more sustainable, effective, and comfortable. Futuristic innovations like the U-Shift vehicle concept can lead to entirely new products and business models. It is crucial for Baden-Württemberg that we support our small and medium-sized enterprises in the transformation process and help them find a new role in future vehicle concepts and mobility solutions. The modular approach offers very good opportunities here,” explains Minister of Economic Affairs Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut.
“With the modular concept of U-Shift, we are making a significant contribution to the transformation of mobility. Prototypes are extremely important for the adoption of innovative concepts by the automotive industry or logistics and mobility service providers. This way, researchers and future users can experience and improve the mobile world of tomorrow,” says DLR Executive Board Member for Energy and Transport Prof. Karsten Lemmer.
Testing, Discussing, Optimizing: Prototype Signals Next Development Steps
The U-Shift prototype has the dimensions of a larger transporter. The Driveboard is currently operated remotely and is expected to be fully autonomous in the future. Safety is also a central aspect of the development. The passenger capsule is equipped with seven seats and a folding seat. A large door with an integrated ramp ensures barrier-free access. The cargo capsule offers space for four Euro pallets or eight roll containers.
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With the help of the prototype, researchers aim to gather initial experiences with the system that picks up and drops off the capsules. They are in close contact with potential producers and operators. At the same time, they are conducting intensive discussions with citizens to discuss the needs and desires for application scenarios of U-Shift and related future jobs. With this input, the scientists will further develop the vehicle concept. For example, they will test the interfaces between humans and vehicles: This includes the mechanism for opening doors, the flow of information, and any access restrictions. In the next major step, the performance of the drive train will be increased, hardware and sensors for automated and connected driving will be installed, a new battery system will be tested, and the chassis and lifting device will be further developed.
For the year 2024, a second prototype is planned, which will be fully automated and capable of speeds of around 60 kilometers per hour. With it, the U-Shift team aims to explore innovative business fields for companies in the context of new mobility service offerings and to realign existing business fields, for example, in pilot trials with companies in the logistics sector.
DLR Partners in the U-Shift Project
Partners of the DLR Institute for Vehicle Concepts in the U-Shift project include the Research Institute for Automotive Engineering and Vehicle Engines Stuttgart (FKFS), which is developing the drive train, the Institute for Vehicle System Technology (FAST), and the Institute for Information Processing Technology (ITIV) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), which contribute the chassis and the electrical/electronic architecture. The automation is handled by the Institute for Measurement, Control, and Microtechnology (MRM) at the University of Ulm.
About the Automotive Industry Strategy Dialogue Baden-Württemberg
The Automotive Industry Strategy Dialogue Baden-Württemberg (SDA BW) opens up innovation potentials across industry boundaries. In collaboration with politics, business, science, labor unions, consumer organizations, environmental associations, and civil society, measures and concepts are developed to successfully shape the transformation process of the Baden-Württemberg automotive industry.
Original Report with Video
Photos: © DLR / The vehicle concept could change logistics in cities (cover image). An empty “body” (Image 2) can accommodate cargo as well as passenger cabins (Image 3).
