Dialog on autonomous mobility

The project members, also including Elektronische Fahrwerksysteme GmbH (EFS) besides the KU and AUDI AG, see the shop as a platform for making the topic of automated driving accessible for the wider public and establish a sound basis for a meaningful, in-depth discussion on the topic. “Especially topics that are met by the people with worry or skepticism must be addressed with special attention and educational effort. This also includes the topic area of autonomous mobility”, says Professor Hogreve. SAVe project manager Lutz Morich (AUDI AG) added: “With our exhibition ‘fahrerlos', we not only want to disseminate knowledge but also actively engage in dialog with visitors and meet them on their level. Technology can only assert itself when accepted by the majority of the population.” Therefore, he continues, it was the main aim of the interactive exhibition to suit all interests and meet visitors on their respective level of prior knowledge. “We have invested a great amount of time – including on weekends – to be able to offer the citizens of Ingolstadt an interesting and exciting platform throughout the summer. I think the result is quite impressive.”, says Stefan Holz (EFS).

Until October this year, visitors can look into a wide range of topics at different exhibition stops in the “fahrerlos”: In the driving simulator, they can go on a virtual drive across the simulated Audi test site in Neustadt an der Donau. In addition, visitors get an insight into the development of electronic assistance systems thanks to a so-called Virtual Engineering Terminal at which they can run and watch different traffic scenarios. A LIDAR sensor installation shows how an automated vehicle “sees” its environment. Furthermore, the exhibition illustrates how many activities are necessary for attentive participation in road traffic. At present, the vast majority of road users are humans – in future, many tasks will be taken over by automated vehicles. Visitors are also informed about limits and potentials of technology for the individual and society as a whole, and about the global development in comparison as well as about legal aspects. The team of researchers at SAVe also provide insights into the progress of their project that runs until the end of 2020.

The exhibition “fahrerlos” (Ludwigstraße 39, Ingolstadt) is open Tuesdays - Fridays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. You can also take a virtual tour of the exhibition at https://fahrerlos-save.de. Dr. Reinhard Brandl (MdB) will greet you online on this website. You can also find information on the dates of a planned lecture series.

Background of project SAVe

The exhibition “fahrerlos” is part of the research project SAVe (Functional and road safety in automated and connected driving). The aim of the project is to develop a virtual model of the region of Ingolstadt that will serve as a basis for the development of automated and connected driving in an urban environment by also taking into account socially relevant questions. A consortium consisting of ten project partners is involved in the joint project: It is led by AUDI AG; other project partners are the KU, the Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI), the University of Applied Sciences Munich and the City of Ingolstadt. In addition, the companies EFS, ASAP, TWT, 3D Mapping Solutions and Virtual City Systems are also involved in the project.

The KU is responsible for the sub-project “social aspects” that also led to the establishment of the display window. The KU, Audi and EFS were the main parties involved in “fahrerlos”.