New Cluster Micro-Mobility Association in Founding Phase
From Producers to Software Developers – All Players in Sustainable Mobility Based on Micro and Light Vehicles are Invited to Connect with Scientists from Chemnitz
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Participants of the founding meeting of the Micro-Mobility Cluster. Photo: Fraunhofer IWU/Diana Fetsch
In spring 2021, scientists from Chemnitz University of Technology, the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU and the Institute of Chemnitz Mechanical and Plant Engineering ICM e. V. had launched the initiative to establish a micro-mobility cluster and had already received great encouragement from many sectors. "As a production engineer, I was surprised by how manifold the topic is," says Prof. Dr. Martin Dix, Head of the Professorship of Production Systems and Processes at Chemnitz University of Technology and Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU. At the first online workshop on micro-mobility on May 10, 2021, a large number of interested participants from non-technical sectors, such as rental companies, insurers, and urban planners, took part. "Of course, we also have manufacturing companies in the network, ranging from small and medium-sized contract manufacturers who want to set themselves up for a new product segment to major players in the industry who want to drive innovation on products and in manufacturing technology," Dix said. In the meantime, the initiators of the cluster hold a successful founding meeting of the association, adopted an association charter and are working on registering the association. In addition to representatives of Chemnitz University of Technology, Fraunhofer IWU and ICM e. V., the founding members are Diamant Fahrradwerke GmbH, Modellbau Roth GmbH & Co.KG, IMK Engineering GmbH and Klädtke Metallverarbeitung GmbH.
"The goal for the next few months is to expand the network," explains Dix. He encourages future fellow campaigners in the new association: "The worldwide increase in users of micro-mobile transportation is creating completely new markets and business models. I would be delighted if we together can provide a decisive Saxon momentum for sustainable individual mobility." Parallel to the founding of the association, the scientists are working on a project application for public funding of their work.
More information on the micro-mobility cluster: https://www.mikro-mobil.de
Contact: Prof. Dr. Martin Dix, Phone: +49 (0)371 531-23500, E-mail: psp@mb.tu-chemnitz.de
Keyword: Micro-Mobility
The term micro-mobility covers bicycles and cargo bikes, e-bikes, e-scooters, hoverboards, or Segways, which are used in urban traffic or in rural areas in the first and last link of a mobility chain.
(Authors: Katja Klöden and Mario Steinebach / Translation: Chelsea Burris)
Matthias Fejes
29.09.2021
