Stay informed – Subscribe to our Newsletter

Our newsletter offers the latest news as well as useful information about Berlin's economy. Receive regular information about new posts on reason-why.berlin.

17.10.2017

Autonomous Driving

A test field in the heart of Berlin

Made in Berlin

In Berlin, people are used to coming through the city relatively easily. But in the future it will be even more comfortable. Fewer accidents, less traffic jams, faster parking, better air - all this can be achieved with intelligent mobility.

Berlin is one of the pioneers of automated driving. As early as 2011, even before Google was ready, an autonomous vehicle of the Freie Universität Berlin made its way through Berlin without a driver. Today, many scientists are preparing autonomous driving on a large scale. One of the most important projects is DIGINET-PS, a digital test field for automated and networked driving, which is currently being developed. And not in some remote corner, but right in the heart of the city, along Straße des 17. Juni, the boulevard running east from Ernst-Reuter-Platz to the Brandenburg Gate. Sensors will provide huge amounts of anonymized data from which intelligent processes will extract important information.

At the core of the DIGINET-PS research project are future technologies that will improve transport flows, protect the environment, and created new added value. In order to develop, test, and evaluate these innovative solutions in a realistic manner, an open framework is necessary. Automated and networked vehicles are being used to implement scenarios such as automated shuttle and convoy trips in urban areas.

DIGINET-PS is intended as a reference solution for complex traffic situations in urban areas. The test track includes not only the course of the Straße des 17. Juni, but also the secondary streets to the north, thus providing some challenges for networked vehicles and digital infrastructure. In addition to traffic management characteristic of urban areas and typical parking situations, the project needs to consider the protection of listed buildings, environmental protection, and overall urban design.

The test field for automated and networked driving begins at Ernst-Reuter-Platz. © TU Berlin/PR/Ulrich Dahl

Open System

As an open system, DIGINET-PS offers technology companies and research facilities the opportunity to participate in the research and use the route as a test environment.

"DIGINET-PS is taking us on completely new paths in systems research for automated and networked driving in our cities. The goal is to develop a flexible, yet holistic solution for all of the associated technologies in order to be able to model and test automated driving in its entire complexity," says Professor Sahin Albayrak, Managing Director of the DAI Laboratory at TU Berlin and head of the project.

© TU Berlin/PR/Ulrich Dahl

Network of partners and supporters

The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure as part of the "Research Programme on Automation and Connectivity in Road Transport" with a total amount of 4.6 million euros and supported by the Berlin Senate Department for Environment, Transport, and Climate Protection.

Header image: Mixed Reality - The simulation was created with the simulation environment VSimRTI from Fraunhofer FOKUS, © Kai Royer/ Fraunhofer FOKUS

More articles

Next
The news record is not available anymore. The news record is not available anymore.

Why should you start a business in Berlin?

Welcome to Berlin – the vibrant city in the heart of Europe! Berlin attracts businesses and startups from every sector. Science, research, and creative industries also love Berlin. True innovators enjoy living and working in Berlin, as the conditions for setting up a company in the city are outstanding.

Infrastructure

Berlin offers the ideal infrastructure for setting up a company. The city’s new international airport makes Berlin quicker and easier to reach than ever from all over Europe and the world. Berlin’s public transport network is extensive and excellent. Office space is plentiful and rents are still lower than in most European capitals. And if you just want to test the waters, few cities have as many co-working spaces as Berlin.

>> Berlin – Heart of Europe

Innovative Industries

In Berlin, you can join networks and discover businesses in all the key innovative industries, including high tech, healthcare, life sciences, service economy, mobility, and logistics. There is also plenty of potential for rewarding and conducive partnerships with research facilities and other institutions and organisations in Berlin.

>> Doing Business in Berlin

Starting Out and Scaling Up

Feel the spirit of entrepreneurship in Berlin! Berlin startups such as Zalando, DaWanda, and ImmobilienScout24 are major influencers in the German market, and venture builders like Rocket Internet and Project A are also located in Berlin. Accelerators and incubators exist at every level and for almost any sector.

>> Starting up in Berlin

Research & Science

Berlin is the capital for researchers and scientists in Europe. You’ll find research on the hottest topics in fields like bio technology, medicine, communication technology, photonics, mobility and transport, and more, carried out by top-level experts at universities and institutions of world renown.

>> Brain City Berlin

Living in Berlin

Finally, the large pool of highly skilled specialists from all over the world is a key reason to locate a company in Berlin. Thanks to the relatively low cost of living and vibrant cultural scenes, Berlin attracts many highly talented people – which directly benefits businesses in the city.

>> Life in Berlin

A growing German economy – good for entrepreneurs and investors

GDP growth is high and unemployment is low. A large market with consumers who like to spend. It's a great time for investments and market entry in Germany. Reason-Why.Berlin offers useful information on the German economy and various aspects of building business in Berlin.