Future mobility on the last mile
FZI-Shuttles
With the FZI-Shuttles Ella and Anna, the FZI is exploring future mobility on the last mile. The highly equipped EasyMile-based minibuses feature, among other things, free planning within the assigned lane. In contrast to other minibuses that are bound to a predefined virtual track, the FZI-Shuttles can navigate independently around obstacles. This is particularly important on public roads to keep up with the traffic flow and flexibly bypass obstacles – especially in urban areas.
Automated
complete FZI in-house development
of the automation software without virtual track
Interconnected
communication with intelligent infrastructure, ready for
on-demand mobility
Electric
all-electric powertrain concept for sustainable and emission-free operation
Road-approved
maximum speed
on public roads
is 20 km/h
The functions for fully automated driving enable the vehicles to travel automatically through urban neighborhoods at a maximum speed of 20 km/h. They are a full in-house development of the FZI. The shuttles were granted a road license in 2020, which was worked out in the publicly funded EVA-Shuttle project together with TÜV SÜD and others.
Since then, the shuttles have been on the road in various projects and serve as a platform for researching new mobility solutions and functions for highly automated driving. By integrating the smart infrastructure of the Test Area Autonomous Driving Baden-Württemberg (TAF BW) and the innovative V2X technology in particular, new functions and application scenarios for safe and profitable mobility are being tested.
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With its research focus Intelligent Transportation Systems and Logistics, the FZI is at the forefront of scientific research into new mobility concepts and contributes to their implementation in beneficial and tailor-made solutions for industry and society.
Technical Data
Measurement technology
The vehicle is equipped with the latest sensor technology for environmental perception and vehicle localization. The positioning of the four high-resolution 360° LiDAR sensors ensures redundant coverage. Additional long-range LiDAR sensors are used for the early detection and localization of road users. The sensor setup is enhanced by a high-precision GPS and cameras that are aligned in and against the direction of travel.
Image: view of the point cloud obtained from the 6 LiDAR sensors.
Computer technology
For data processing, a high-performance computer is installed in the vehicle’s interior. The computer contains a high-performance processor and two GPU units designed for computing-intensive algorithms and AI functions. The open-source framework ROS (Robot Operating System) enables the flexible and customized use of software solutions as well as the rapid integration of functions and technologies to be tested. The actuators of the base vehicle are addressed via a CAN interface.
Road approval and area of service
The FZI-Shuttles are currently authorized for road use in the Weiherfeld-Dammerstock district of Karlsruhe in accordance with §70 StVZO. This authorization is continuously being extended to include new areas and routes for various research projects.
Image: copyright Open Street Map contributors for map background.
The FZI-Shuttles contribute to research for future mobility.
Contact
Marc Zofka
Department Manager
Division: Intelligent Systems and Production Engineering
- +49 721 9654-366
- zofka@fzi.de
- Headquarters Karlsruhe
Options for use and research offering
As an independent research institute, the FZI Research Center for Information Technology supports you in finding solutions for your challenges by deploying FZI-Shuttles, our other test vehicles or intelligent infrastructure as reference systems, development and sensor platforms:
- We support you with potential assessments and feasibility studies of automated and connected vehicles on factory premises, in urban or inter-urban areas.
- We assist you when it comes to developing sensor technologies and delivering qualifiable verification or validation results from measurement and test drives.
- You need an automated or connected vehicle to integrate and present your services? We support you with the acquisition, retrofitting with partners from our network, and finally, with the implementation of an automated mobility or transport concept in your use case.
