Federal support for mobility research cluster renewed
Germany has announced a significant boost to the Munich-based MCube mobility research cluster with a new funding round of approximately €15 million. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has confirmed that MCube’s innovative projects will continue for an additional three years. This decision follows a positive evaluation of the first phase by a high-level scientific jury.
MCube, led by the Technical University of Munich (TUM), aims to drive sustainable and transformative mobility innovations inspired by Munich’s success. The initiative brings together key players from academia, industry, and society to tackle global mobility challenges. MCube’s mission is to “Make innovations for mobility transformation possible together.”
A broad network of partners
In the second funding phase, MCube will be supported by a diverse network of partners including the City of Munich, UnternehmerTUM, Munich’s public utilities, BMW, SAP, Airbus, and Green City. Over 80 partners are involved, with additional financial support from the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts.
TUM President Prof. Thomas F. Hofmann expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “The federal funding decision is a strong signal, especially in these challenging budgetary times. Our society and environment’s future depends on rethinking mobility and focusing on sustainable innovations.”
Georg Dunkel, Munich’s Mobility Commissioner, welcomed the continued funding, noting, “We look forward to collaborating with partners from administration, industry, academia, and civil society to develop and test innovative mobility solutions in Munich.”
MCube’s spokesperson, Prof. Sebastian Pfotenhauer, highlighted the cluster’s unique approach. “MCube’s distinctiveness lies in its direct involvement with the public. We seek innovative mobility solutions in collaboration with society, avoiding polarization or specific technologies, and focusing on broad experiments for a sustainable and socially just mobility future.”
Projects for the future
During its first funding phase, MCube launched 14 projects exploring autonomous driving, car sharing, and urban space transformation through real-world laboratories. The second phase will see the implementation of nine new projects, including:
- ComfficientShare 2.0: Aims to reduce private car ownership by offering expanded car-sharing options directly at residential locations.
- MobiPionier: Investigates the potential of mobility budgets and bundles to promote sustainable transport behaviors in urban and rural areas.
- MOSAIQ: Focuses on creating sustainable urban neighborhoods through intelligent integration of green spaces and alternative mobility options.
- DatSim 2.0: Enhances traffic simulation capabilities to precisely analyze the effects of mobility innovations on traffic flow and emissions.
- ASUR: Revolutionizes mobility supply in rural areas with autonomous, demand-driven mobility models.
- ReFuMoLab_Garching: A pioneering project that aims to shape the future of urban mobility by integrating and testing new technologies in a real-world environment.
- WiPa: Supports all MCube projects with advisory and communication services around participation and engagement.
- EPURA: Ensures that MCube projects maximize their benefits for metropolitan regions by developing utilization strategies.
- ReMIX: Aims to improve governance of mobility innovations and develop best practices for integrated mobility planning.
TUM’s involvement in MCube includes contributions from several departments, with Prof. Markus Lienkamp and Prof. Gebhard Wulfhorst playing key roles alongside Prof. Pfotenhauer and Prof. Jeanne Rubner.
TUM, with its extensive faculty, student body, and international presence, continues to be a major player in research, education, and innovation, fostering a vibrant high-tech ecosystem in Munich and beyond.
