From September 7 to 12, 2021, scientists from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) represented their research projects at the IAA Mobility. In the spirit of the triad between science, business and society, MCube was part of the "Citizens Lab" on Marienplatz in the heart of Munich. The aim of the "Citizens Lab" was to bring together all those who want to jointly work on and understand the mobility issues of the future and develop possible solutions.
With the move from Frankfurt to Munich, the IAA Mobility with a new concept this year. Lectures, discussions and presentations for experts took place over several days in the Riem exhibition halls. At the same time, information rooms were set up in Munich's city center as "open spaces" for interested citizens. The aim was to make new mobility concepts freely accessible to the public, test the new ideas and concepts and engage in a lively exchange.
In total, more than 400,000 visitors were counted at all venues. The "Open Spaces" in the city, including the "Citizens Lab", were very well attended. In addition to exhibitors such as EIT Urban Mobility, HÜRO Mobility and the Senior Citizens' Advisory Council of the City of Munich, MCube was also there.
In particular with the expansion of the platform TUM.mobility TUM bundles research from various chairs that deal with innovation in the field of mobility. In addition to MCube, the TUM area of the "Citizens Lab" therefore included, for example, a bicycle simulator from the Chair of Traffic Engineering visitors were able to test the new collision warning system on a ride through a virtual city. The TUM stand also provided an insight into projects such as Providentia++, which deals with the topic of autonomous driving, or the Hyperloop project the Faculty of Aeronautics, Astronautics and Geodesywhich is researching climate-neutral, ground-based means of transport for the ultra-fast connection of mobility centers.
Participants in the MCube student project "euMOVE - European Mobility Venture" also presented some of their research findings in the Dialog Arena, which was also part of the "Citizens Lab". The presentation followed the principle of Pecha Kucha, in which 20 consecutive images structure the presentation, none of which can be seen for longer than 20 seconds.
General and individual questions, ideas and concerns of the civilian population were addressed in dialogues, presentations, demonstrations and extensive information material. Right in the middle of it all: MCube as a regional network of stakeholders from science, business and society. At the stand, the interdisciplinary team of researchers provided information about the launch of the future cluster and exchanged ideas with visitors about the burning issues and challenges in the mobility sector. Central topics at the TUM stand in the "Citizens Lab" - such as sustainability, social justice and ethical issues surrounding automation - clearly showed that the path will be exciting and must be designed in a participatory manner.
The press also picked up on MCube's presence at the IAA Mobility. Members of the MCube consortium were represented twice: In an article from September 6, 2021 in the ZDF today JOURNAL Professor Gebhard Wulfhorst, Head of the Chair of Settlement Structure and Transport Planning, explains that he expects major changes in the form, drive and use of the car. Nevertheless, he emphasizes:
"I believe it is also important that we remain independent in our own mobility decisions."
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gebhard Wulfhorst
Furthermore, Professor Markus Lienkamp, Head of the Chair of Automotive Engineering, predicts in an interview with the ZDF today JOURNAL (September 7, 2021) on the basis of his team's research findings:
"By the mid-2020s, electric vehicles will no longer be more expensive than vehicles powered by internal combustion engines."
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Markus Lienkamp
Mobility is at the heart of Germany's economic and innovative strength, the key to climate neutrality and the core of everyday life.
Why we should learn to celebrate construction sites - and finally shape mobility based on facts and together.
With over 130 new employees, Germany's future cluster MCube at Munich Urban Colab entered the next project phase on April 9, 2025 - and at full speed.
What if fewer cars were normal in the city?
Germany's future of mobility: What needs to be included in the new coalition agreement? With the planned 500 billion euro special fund
Call for papers now open! Be part of one of the top-notch international conferences on mobility and transport!
What makes Munich so special as an innovation powerhouse? We were often asked this question at MCube DEMO DAY 2024.
We are very proud to finally present our MCube SASIM full cost calculator!
You can find out what we have implemented in MCube over the last three years in our brochure.
The Wiesn 2024 was not just a folk festival, but also the setting for a groundbreaking innovation:
