ABSOLUT II project partners
Advanced Navigation Solutions – ANavS GmbH develops systems to enable positioning and localisation with centimetre precision in dynamic applications ranging from robots via road vehicles to ships. As a technology-oriented SME employing a team of 25 experts, it possesses considerable know-how in the fields of satellite navigation systems and high-performance sensor data evaluation. The goal within the framework of ABSOLUT II is to establish a standard solution for shuttle services under even the most difficult localisation conditions.
BitCtrl Systems GmbH is a software and system house with offices in Leipzig and places its focus on the development of systems for dynamic passenger information in buses and trams, traffic control centres and management systems, and control systems for industrial applications. BitCtrl Systems GmbH merged with the similarly Leipzig-based software house appPlant GmbH on 1st July 2022, and in doing so acquired a wealth of novel know-how in the field of human-machine interaction by way of natural language. Assisted by elements of AI and other cutting-edge methods, the technology is applied above all in the context of inclusion and accessibility, for example in aids for the visually impaired or for special work situations where manual operation is not feasible.
FSD develops test methods that help inspectors detect defects, wear, modifications and manipulation affecting the safety- and environment-relevant components and systems of vehicles presented for periodic technical inspection. Constant involvement in research and science ensures that the inspection methods and specifications stay abreast of rapid technical developments. The Central Agency was established in 2004 by the organisations mandated with vehicle inspection and employs over 150 staff in Dresden (headquarters) and Radeberg (test laboratory).
glts cotech GmbH develops and distributes systems to manage, control, monitor and evaluate logistics processes and operations. Founded in 2000, it serves both the automotive industry and logistics companies as an ICT provider. The company’s project contribution derives from its in-house product developments VisualCheck (digitalisation of processes ranging from shopping cart monitoring via quality assurance and the documentation of transport load security to comprehensive transport verification) and Dolphinder Module LTC (real-time monitoring and optimisation of internal transport processes).
IKEM – Institute for Climate Protection, Energy and Mobility is a non-profit association and independent research institute with more than 10 years of experience in interdisciplinary climate protection research in the context of its legal, economic and political frameworks.
As an affiliated institute of the University of Greifswald, IKEM brings together an international team of around 60 scientists to tackle the most important issues surrounding our transition to sustainable energy and mobility. The institute works closely with other universities, research institutions and practice partners.
IKEM analyses, assesses and develops strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contributes its extensive expertise to projects through which ideas for transformation of industry and society are tested in real-world laboratories and model implementations. The research serves to promote innovations within the legal and political framework, accompanies climate protection developments through to market maturity and optimises their realisation with regard to public acceptance.
INIT GmbH, with headquarters in Karlsruhe, is one of the world’s leading suppliers of integrated planning, dispatching, telematics and ticketing solutions for public transport. A team of currently 14 researchers has already been working for several years on a variety of projects to further the standardised integration of automated vehicles into public transport systems and has supported transport providers in their efforts to make public transport more attractive and more efficient for the past 40 years.
Leipziger Verkehrsbetriebe (LVB) GmbH, the municipal transport corporation and mobility services provider of the City of Leipzig, operates a full network of tram and bus services across the city and its surrounding area. The LVB services are integrated into the regional Central German Transit Network (MDV). At the beginning of 2019, the special department “Mobility Factory” was established within LVB to further accelerate the realisation of digitalisation projects. Developments to date include products for the “Flexa” project, as well as routing, departure info, neighbourhood search and auto-complete components for the mobility app “LeipzigMOVE”.
Sedenius Engineering GmbH is a specialist supplier of intelligent and comprehensive solutions for the field of autonomous and highly automated driving, especially in connection with the processing, visualisation and interpretation of large volumes of sensor data.
The City of Leipzig, as the local authority responsible for road construction, road traffic management and the organisation of local public transport services, is participating in the project ABSOLUT II in several roles. As the data origin and responsible data owner, the Mobilitäts- und Tiefbauamt (MTA), in particular, is in an exclusive position to provide infrastructure data to the operators of automated vehicles in appropriately standardised form.
TU Dresden serves as a central research hub within the framework of ABSOLUT II. The Chair of Vehicle Mechatronics (FZM) concerns itself with the systems of automated vehicles (sensors, networking, control). The project tasks for FZM include further development of the vehicle platform for the requirements of ABSOLUT II (manoeuvre interface, manoeuvre control) and the integration of systems developed by other partners into the vehicle.
The Chair of Transport Systems Information Technology (ITVS) places a research focus on high-availability, manipulation-proof communication and localisation technologies (5G, SatCom, RTK) and is making corresponding results available to ABSOLUT II.
The Chair of Traffic Process Automation (VPA) conducts research in the fields of cooperative and intelligent transport systems, driver assistance systems, traffic management and traffic data analysis. Foreground topics include methods of data analysis (machine learning, artificial intelligence), control concepts (model predictive control) and simulations of transport systems.
The Junior Professorship of Mechatronics / Vocational Didactics (MECH) explores qualification strategies as they relate to the field of mechatronics. In the context of ABSOLUT II, the focus lies on the training of technical supervision personnel.
ABSOLUT II associate partners
The BMW Group Plant Leipzig is one of the most sustainable, cutting-edge car plants in the world and has been manufacturing vehicles and components since March 2005. As a partner and beneficiary of the project, the BMW Group is making parts of the plant premises available for field tests, as well as for parking and charging of the vehicles. In addition, employees at the plant are a major target group for the innovative shuttle services.
Leipziger Messe GmbH is a one-stop provider for all trade fair and exhibition-related services: Concept development, planning, presentation, stand construction, realisation and catering. Its shareholders are the Free State of Saxony and the City of Leipzig. Leipziger Messe GmbH is participating in the project as a user partner and is contributing to a detailed concept for subsequent use of the vehicles, for example as demonstrators within the framework of exhibition events.