Curtain up for first prototype of the futuristic vehicle concept U-Shift.
Whether as an on-demand shuttle, high-tech call bus, as a flexible distribution centre for goods and parcels or as a mobile sales business – with the futuristic vehicle concept U-Shift, DLR is bringing new wind to the urban mobility and logistics of tomorrow. The first mobile prototype was presented by a research consortium led by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) at the interim balance sheet conference of the Strategy Dialogue Automotive Industry Baden-Württemberg presented on 17 September 2020 in Stuttgart. The project is supported by the Ministry of Economy, Labour and Housing Baden-Württemberg around twelve million euros.
Modular design: Driveboard combined with capsule
The central feature of the approach is the separation of vehicle, called driveboard, and the capsule-shaped superstructures for the passenger or freight transport. The U-shaped drive unit includes all the expensive technical components and systems to be autonomous, electric and quiet on the road. For maximum cost-effectiveness, the driveboard is in operation around the clock if possible. The capsules, which are much cheaper to produce, can be designed for a wide range of applications.
"We want to make tomorrow's mobility more sustainable, effective and comfortable. Futuristic innovations such as the U-Shift vehicle concept can lead to completely 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 to find a new role in the field of future vehicle concepts and mobility solutions. The modular approach opens up very good margins for manoeuvre here," explains Economy Minister Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut.
"With the modular concept of U-Shift, we make 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 will allow researchers and future users to experience and improve the mobile world of tomorrow in real life," says DLR Board Member for Energy and Transport Prof. Karsten Lemmer.
