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Swarm concept from the Paderborn region aims to revolutionize rural mobility
In rural regions of Germany, public transport resembles a challenging balancing act: limited schedules, frequent transfers, and long distances deter many people. As a result, oversized vehicles often travel empty across the country—a burden on municipal finances and the environment. Schedules are further reduced, and the vicious cycle continues. A swarm concept from Paderborn, which combines the advantages of individual transport and public transport, could offer a solution starting in 2025.
“Many mobility concepts have the problem that science, industry, and municipalities work in isolation and do not take a holistic view of the problem,” explains Prof. Thomas Tröster, responsible for lightweight construction in automobiles at the University of Paderborn.
For this reason, he, along with other initiators, founded the association New Mobility Paderborn (NeMo) three years ago. The association's goal is to initiate projects that create an overall system combining mobility, energy, digitization, and social participation. Here, stakeholders from all relevant areas work closely together.
Development of a Swarm-based Traffic System
The core of the initiative is the development of a swarm-based traffic system. Compact, autonomous lightweight vehicles (NeMo.Cabs) pick up travelers at their doorstep. They merge into a convoy on the main road. At the head of the convoy is a lead vehicle (NeMo.Pro). In the destination town, the convoy dissolves, and the cabs take travelers to their respective destinations. Offering demand-based and flexible mobility via an app is a key component of the initiative.
“This solution frees passengers from having to transfer and from having to sit with strangers in a vehicle. This resembles the comfort of a private car,” says Matthias Hack, spokesperson for NeMo.
Received German Mobility Award
Recently, the first major project NeMo.bil received the German Mobility Award in the category "New Mobility Solutions." This award is given to projects that offer new mobility solutions from a holistic perspective or trigger a profound rethinking.
Until 2026, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action is promoting the NeMo.bil project, which is tasked with the prototypical development of the two vehicle types. NeMo.Cabs are especially energy-efficient, as they are optimized for regional use with a maximum weight of 450 kg and small batteries. The NeMo.Pros, serving as tractor units, utilize hydrogen technology, making them locally emission-free and well-suited for interregional transport. During the drive, they function as a mobile charging station and charge the NeMo.Cabs.
First road trips in Paderborn starting in 2025
Initial tests on closed grounds are scheduled for late 2024 or early 2025. Starting in spring or summer 2025, test drives on public routes are planned. These will initially be accompanied by trained safety drivers and made accessible to a selected target group. Planned follow-up projects aim to achieve type approval to pave the way for series production of the vehicles. By 2028, a fully autonomous and comprehensive mobility system for rural areas could be operational. However, the timeline depends on the availability of market-ready autonomous software solutions and their regulatory approval in Germany.
Interdisciplinary collaboration
"With more than 70 partners from various sectors, we have created the ideal conditions not only to develop innovative concepts but also to bring them to the street," explains Matthias Hack.
The University of Paderborn contributes significant innovations with its expertise in digitalization, lightweight construction, energy, and vehicle technology. Regional companies such as Holon, dSpace, or Phoenix Contact contribute by developing tractor units, simulation tools, and connectors for vehicle coupling. Meanwhile, municipalities provide testing grounds and infrastructure to verify practicality.
Additionally, Paderborn as a location offers special advantages. Many regions in Germany resemble the structure of Paderborn: a central city with a lot of rural space around it. Insights from the project could therefore become pioneering nationwide. Furthermore, Paderborn, with its green electricity production of 160% above its own needs, provides the ideal foundation for an emission-free mobility system.
Translated automatically from German.
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Elektromobilität , Newsletter Elektromobilität , IAA Mobility , SUVs und Geländewagen , Hybrid , Antriebsarten, Kraftstoffe und Emissionen , Oberklasse- und Sportwagen , Carsharing , Autonomes Fahren (Straßenverkehr) , Ladeinfrastruktur , Verkehrspolitik , Formel E , Brennstoffzellen , Fahrzeug-Vernetzung und -Kommunikation , Fahrzeuge & Fuhrpark , Automotive-Messen & Veranstaltungen , Pkw, Kompakt- und Mittelklasse , Minis und Kleinwagen , E-Auto-Datenbank, E-Mobilität-/Automotive-Newsletter, E-Auto-Tests
