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The German Centre for Future Mobility (DZM) is expanding its nationwide research network by adding a fifth location in Munich. As of October 1, 2026, Munich will become a key part of the federal funding and innovation network. The primary objective of this expansion is the RISE project, which aims to facilitate the transition of automated mobility systems from research environments to regular public transport operations.
New DZM Location in Munich to Drive Automated Mobility
The new Munich site was officially unveiled at the DZM Networking Conference in Berlin. This initiative seeks to bridge the gap between technical developments, practical applications, and regulatory requirements, fostering a more integrated approach to future mobility solutions.
RISE Project: Integrating Automated Mobility into Public Transport
The RISE project, an acronym for “Regular Operation, Integration, Scaling, and Development of Automated Mobility Systems,” is central to the Munich location’s mission. It specifically addresses how autonomous and automated transport solutions can be permanently integrated into existing mobility services.
Beyond technical advancements, the project partners will also focus on critical aspects such as approval procedures, the operational management of these systems, and their scalability for broader deployment in public transport. This addresses a significant challenge in automated mobility: moving promising pilot projects into economically viable and sustainable transport systems for everyday use.
Collaboration Across Research and Industry in Munich
The Munich location will foster a broad alliance of scientific institutions, industrial partners, and transport operators. Key collaborators include the Technical University of Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, MAN, Stadtwerke München (Munich’s public utility company), Münchner Verkehrsgesellschaft (Munich Transport Company), Münchner Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund (Munich Transport and Tariff Association), UnternehmerTUM, and the Bundeswehr University Munich.
This diverse collaboration aims to accelerate the transfer of research findings into practical applications, ensuring that innovations quickly benefit the public.
DZM Expands its Nationwide Network
The German Centre for Future Mobility was established by the Federal Ministry of Transport as a nationwide network and funding structure. Existing project locations are currently in Hamburg, Karlsruhe, Minden, and Annaberg-Buchholz.
The DZM’s research priorities span a wide range of areas, including Artificial Intelligence, intelligent infrastructure, automated public local transport, digitalized rail systems, and communication technologies in rail transport. With the addition of Munich, the network gains a dedicated hub for integrating automated mobility systems into regular operations, further strengthening Germany’s position in advanced transport research.
Significance for the Mobility Sector
The expansion of the DZM underscores the increasing importance of automated mobility solutions for public transport. For vehicle manufacturers, transport companies, and technology providers, the focus is shifting towards how autonomous systems can be operated reliably, safely, and economically.
The Munich project is expected to develop practical solutions for these challenges, helping to move automated mobility beyond test fields and into daily operations. This will bring not only technological questions to the forefront but also operational, regulatory, and infrastructural requirements.
Source: https://www.verkehrsrundschau.de/nachrichten/vermischtes/muenchen-wird-fuenfter-standort-des-mobilitaetszentrums-3911520
