Fraunhofer Institute for Transportation and Infrastructure Systems IVI

The electrification of heavy-duty transportation is a particularly challenging task. Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), the MEGA-LADEN project developed an underbody automatic contact system for electric commercial vehicles that can transfer power in the megawatt range. Fraunhofer IVI and its project partners presented the results of their three-year research work to a broad specialist audience at the final demonstration in Berlin. Representatives from vehicle manufacturers, suppliers and users were able to experience the innovative fast-charging system for electric trucks live and learn about its functionalities.

With this automated, safe and space-saving technology, large truck batteries can now be easily charged during loading and unloading or during legal break times. In addition to this major increase in convenience, the project also increases the acceptance of e-mobility in the logistics sector and allows electrical recharging even for people without specialized knowledge.
The work continues even after the project has ended. For example, a logistics partner is testing the existing underfloor contact system for its practicality in everyday use, and the development work for a product is in full swing.

• read more on the MEGA-LADEN website

At the final event of the BMDV-funded 5GoIng project, which was launched in December 2021, the project partners presented the results of their research. They gave an impressive demonstration of how vehicles and traffic infrastructure can communicate in real time and warn road users of dangers at an early stage. The project developed innovations such as 5G-controlled LED lighting, which can increase the safety of crosswalks, and a new dashboard for live traffic analysis. 5GoIng also created a digital test field that is available as a platform for testing and further developing new mobility technologies.

In the research project, the Fraunhofer Application Center “Connected Mobility and Infrastructure” in Ingolstadt was in charge of setting up the basic infrastructure, installing sensors, IT and communication systems and implementing the test field. The project work focused on infrastructure-side data communication as well as sensor data processing and fusion.

read the THI press release

more information on the “5GoIng” project

Fraunhofer Application Center “Connected Mobility and Infrastructure”