News

National European Road Safety Charter network meeting in Dresden

September 20, 2023 | Improving road safety across all subject areas

© Fraunhofer IVI

Last week, Fraunhofer IVI welcomed current and prospective members of the European Road Safety Charter (ERSC) within the scope of a network meeting. In its role as National Relay, the institute takes special interest in bringing together different stakeholders from the field of road safety in order to promote professional exchange on the newest relevant research topics. The main goal in this context is achieving vision zero in the road traffic sector, which means the complete prevention of deaths in road traffic.

During the meeting, a broad range of topics were addressed, including traffic accident research, vehicle safety, scenario creation for the digital testing of driving functions, bicycle safety, infrastructure safety, improving the safety of children on their way to school, as well as accident prevention for teenagers.

As German National Relay, the institute is happy to assist all Charter members and all interested stakeholders with any questions they may have.

© Fraunhofer IVI
© Fraunhofer IVI
© Fraunhofer IVI

Data spaces for future mobility in Europe

September 14, 2023 | Fraunhofer IVI presents Mobility Data Space in Amsterdam

Creating a unified data market across Europe has been a key European endeavor for a number of years now. The purpose of such a joint data space is to facilitate access to both existing and future traffic and mobility databases with the aim of exploiting and sharing data. In this context, Global Mass Transit organized the third annual conference »Data-driven Urban Mobility in Europe«, which was held on September 14, 2023 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The conference’s mission is to discuss the political and regulatory framework for data-driven, intelligent urban mobility, highlight current developments on the way towards a common European mobility data space, and present the progress made so far as well as EU-wide initiatives.

In Germany, the Mobility Data Space already constitutes the mobility sector’s central data ecosystem, uniting enterprises, organizations and institutions with the aim of jointly exploiting their shared data for the mobility of the future. Based on the open, decentralized system architecture created by the International Data Spaces Association, Fraunhofer IVI and the Fraunhofer Institutes AISEC, FIT, IAIS, IML und ISST developed the platform’s technology and operated the data space in its start-up phase. Currently, their ideas and technologies are also expanded on a European level: Within the PrepDspace4Mobility project, Fraunhofer IVI and further partners are creating a »Common European Mobility Data Space« as stipulated by the European Commission in their data strategy.

As one of the keynote speakers, Sebastian Pretzsch, Manager of the »Data Systems and Travel Assistance« at Fraunhofer IVI, introduced the Mobility Data Space and the surrounding activities on a European level.

North Saxony Mobility Day

September 12, 2023 | North Saxony presents innovative mobility solutions for rural areas

© Fraunhofer IVI
© Fraunhofer IVI

By the example of the automated shuttle FLASH, the specialist audience at the North Saxony Mobility Day were able to experience automated connected driving as a future mobility solution in rural areas. Fraunhofer IVI showcased the vehicle together with the district of North Saxony, Nordsachsen Mobil GmbH and IAV GmbH. At the event, the visitors gained insight into developments regarding control centers as technical supervision units, as well as the extension of the vehicle Operational Design Domain through infrastructure assistance.

For over a year now, FLASH has been in regular service Thursdays through Sundays between Rackwitz station, Schladitzer Bucht and Biedermeierstrand, carrying everyone just wanting to get from A to B. As an integrated mobility service, FLASH is timed to connect with the local trains from Delitzsch and Leipzig, and it is incorporated into the fare structure of the Mitteldeutscher Verkehrsverbund (Central German Transport Association).

Fraunhofer at IAA MOBILITY 2023

September 5, 2023 | ALBACOPTER® at the joint Fraunhofer booth

© Fraunhofer IVI
Tomorrow's mobility: at the IAA Mobility, Fraunhofer presents a broad range of research projects and findings.
© Fraunhofer IVI
Prof. Holger Hanselka vistis the joint Fraunhofer booth.

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) does more than just open up new potential in terms of transporting goods: if some of urban traffic goes airborne, this will also offer completely new approaches when it comes to sustainable mobility solutions. In the Fraunhofer ALBACOPTER® Lighthouse Project, six Fraunhofer institutes are addressing the technical and social issues associated with UAM. Led by the Fraunhofer Institute for Transportation and Infrastructure Systems IVI, researchers have developed an aircraft that glides in a particularly efficient way – taking inspiration from the albatross. This device and other highlights are being exhibited at the joint Fraunhofer booth (D11, in Hall B1) at the IAA MOBILITY trade show in Munich until September 8, 2023.

On the opening day, September 5, the President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Prof. Holger Hanselka, and the executive vice president for Research Infrastructures and Digital Transformation, Prof. Axel Müller-Groeling, visited the joint Fraunhofer booth. Together with the expert team, Fraunhofer IVI Director and ALBACOPTER® project manager Prof. Matthias Klingner presented the current development status of the experimental aircraft.

© Fraunhofer IVI
© Fraunhofer IVI
© Fraunhofer IVI

elWObot field robot passes its acid test in a real orchard

August 29, 2023 | Field demonstration on innovative solutions for future fruit and wine farming

© Fraunhofer IVI
The elWObot successfully demonstrates tasks such as mulching and mowing.
© Fraunhofer IVI

How can research and development innovations help farmers combat the increasing shortage of skilled laborers and junior staff? Autonomous field machines are one solution to this problem. These machines were the main focus of the »Robotics for Fruit and Wine Farming« workshop held by the Saxon State Office for the Environment, Agriculture and Geology (LfULG) on August 29, 2023 in Dresden-Pillnitz.

The participants had the opportunity to get a first-hand experience of different solutions from the field of robotics and of new approaches to, e. g., crop protection on steep slopes, 5G technology and electric charging solutions. During the event, the autonomus elWObot, a robot for fruit and wine farming, completed a number of work tasks such as mowing and mulching to demonstrate its abilities. This was the first time the robot proved its functionality in front of a public audience.

In several expert talks and at their info booth, Fraunhofer IVI scientists gave information on different developments in the field of automation in agriculture. They presented a fast-charging trailer developed especially for the elWObot and the helyOS® control tower software that can be used to plan robot missions. In collaboration with the Chair of Agricultural Systems and Technology at TU Dresden and Computersysteme Schmidt GmbH, further trials will be conducted using the elWObot by the spring of 2024. The trials will include, among others, the targeted distribution of plant protection agents.

(Source: LfULG Saxony)

© Fraunhofer IVI
Dr. Sven Klausner presents details on the robot's charging technology.
© Fraunhofer IVI
The field robot's missions are planned using the helyOS® control tower software.
© Fraunhofer IVI
The fast charging system installed on the charging trailer was developed by Fraunhofer IVI.

Future female engineers visit Fraunhofer IVI

August 30, 2023 | Participants of the tryING orientation course receive information on career paths in the MINT subjects

© Fraunhofer IVI
Nora Strauzenberg introduces current Fraunhofer IVI research highlights to the participants.

The tryING orientation course at TU Dresden is aimed at female high school graduates who are considering taking up studies in engineering but are still hesitant about it. By participating in classes, workshops and excursions, young women learn about the university routine and diverse work environments of engineers. This way, they are prepared for the start of their courses in an optimal way.  

Within the scope of their excursion program, eight future female university students visited the  institute to receive information on job offers and highlights of current research projects. Our scientists Dr. Ina Partzsch and Nora Strauzenberg offered intzeresting insight into their work and introduced both the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and Fraunhofer IVI as innovative employers for MINT students and graduates. Many thanks to all participants for their interest in what we do!

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