Autonomous driving as a matter of technological sovereignty
- The DLR Institute for AI Safety and Security is involved in the Ecosystem Mobility 4.0 initiative, which aims to establish an open and interoperable digital ecosystem for autonomous mobility across Europe.
- The initiative's steering group includes Founding Director Prof. Frank Köster, who is helping to shape the digital foundation for autonomous driving.
- At Hannover Messe 2026 (20–24 April), the initiative will be showcasing an interactive exhibit at Stand C24 in Hall 13, where visitors can develop their own digital ecosystem.
- The initiative seeks to bolster Europe’s technological autonomy in autonomous mobility, reducing reliance on proprietary system solutions from foreign corporations.
Autonomous driving is not just an engineering challenge; it is also a strategic issue for Europe as a centre of business and industry. While technological advances in autonomous mobility are being made at a rapid pace worldwide, Germany and Europe are becoming increasingly dependent on proprietary digital systems from abroad. The Ecosystem Mobility 4.0 initiative is addressing this issue with a holistic approach: an open, community-driven ecosystem in which data, services and technologies can be provided and used interoperably.
The DLR Institute for AI Safety and Security is playing a key role in this initiative. Its founding director, Professor Frank Köster, sits on the steering group, helping to shape the digital foundations for autonomous mobility from a European perspective. The initiative aims to establish a market for autonomous mobility based on open, scalable and marketable standards, supported by a broad community comprising industry, research and the public sector.
From 20 to 24 April, the Hannover Messe 2026 will offer a concrete insight into this work. As part of the Industry 4.0 Platform stand, the initiative – with the active involvement of the DLR Institute for AI Security – will present an interactive exhibit at Stand C24 in Hall 13. Visitors will be able to develop their own digital ecosystem and interact directly with members of the initiative, as well as representatives from other participating companies and organisations.
Anyone interested in joining the Ecosystem Mobility 4.0 initiative can contact us at info@oekosystemmobilitaet40.de or visit the initiative’s website at https://ecosystemmobility40.de/.