Traffic TechnologyStarting Signal for IMoGer: VITRONIC Participates in Research Project for Automated Mobility
VITRONIC is delighted to be part of the pioneering funding and research project IMoGer - Innovative Modular Mobility Made in Germany.
Source: DLR by Kruszewski
Dr. Volker Wissing, Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and Transport, and Dr.-Ing. Heiko Frohn, CTO VITRONIC Machine Vision Group, at the ceremonial presentation of the funding decision.
The project, led by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), aims to combine local public transport and courier and parcel logistics in a holistic mobility approach in order to serve the “last mile” - fully automated according to SAE level 4, without safety drivers.
With a total project volume of €39.2 million and a funding volume of €35.2 million, IMoGer is the largest funding project awarded by the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMDV) to date. The official go-ahead was given by Federal Minister Dr. Volker Wissing on 17 February 2025 with the presentation of the funding decision.
Automated test fleet on the “Schwarzer Berg”
The centerpiece of the project is the automated modular vehicle “U-Shift” developed by DLR, which can transport both people and goods thanks to interchangeable capsules. With a small test fleet of several units, the concept is to be tested for the first time in real use as a driverless, barrier-free service in Braunschweig's “Schwarzer Berg” district. The safety of the overall system is to be guaranteed by technical supervision and a supporting, intelligent transport infrastructure.
The vision: an automated mobility service for regular operation
The IMoGer research project creates the basis for the future regular operation of automated mobility services. It accompanies the entire process from approval to practical application and is intended to provide the basis for other regions. IMoGer is thus taking on a pioneering role for innovative, sustainable and needs-based transportation systems in Germany.
VITRONIC's contribution to automated mobility
As part of the project, VITRONIC will contribute to the infrastructure-side protection of the “U-Shift” with state-of-the-art sensor systems. The focus here is on monitoring complex danger spots and situations, such as obscurations at intersections and the protection of vulnerable road users.
In addition, the “Homologation Framework” is to be further developed - a framework that describes the approval and certification of all relevant system components for autonomous driving.
Together with stakeholders from the automotive industry, fleet and infrastructure operators, safety bodies and authorities, VITRONIC will establish a committee to consolidate and further develop this framework in the long term.
We are proud to be part of this lighthouse project for the future of mobility in Germany. With our technologies, we want to contribute to turning a vision into reality."
In addition to DLR as consortium leader, the project partners involved in IMoGer are Braunschweiger Verkehrs-GmbH, UPS Deutschland S. à. r. l. & Co. OHG, DiMOS Operations GmbH and Motor Ai GmbH. The project is also supported by the City of Braunschweig and the Greater Braunschweig Regional Association. The project will run for three years.
