April 15, 2025

NeMo.bil: First demonstration trips successfully completed

NeMo.bil project: First successful test drives in Paderborn on the grounds of Paderborn/Lippstadt Airport
from left: Marcus Zwick, INYO Mobility GmbH, Christoph Rüther, District Administrator of the district of Paderborn, Prof Dr Thomas Tröster, University Paderborn

Innovative mobility solution for rural areas takes shape - DLR Institute for AI Safety and Security secures data protection and system networking

An important milestone has been reached in the development of a new type of public transport system: the NeMo.bil project, funded by the BMWi, has successfully completed its first manual demonstration journeys at Paderborn/Lippstadt Airport. This swarm-based, demand-responsive mobility system, in whose development the DLR Institute of AI Safety and Security is playing a pivotal role, demonstrates how digitalisation and artificial intelligence can enhance the efficiency of rural transport.

Innovative combination of small and large vehicles

The NeMo.bil concept involves a flexible system that reorganises passenger and freight transport in rural areas. Small, ultra-light, electrically powered NeMo.Cabs pick up passengers directly outside their homes and serve the first and last mile. For longer journeys, these cabs can combine to form a convoy pulled by a larger automated vehicle, the NeMo.Pro.
This combination offers the convenience of a private vehicle alongside the energy efficiency of public transport, and is specifically designed to meet the needs of rural areas.

Timetable is adhered to

The demonstration drives at Paderborn/Lippstadt Airport represent a significant milestone in the project's development. An automated cab is set to be unveiled as early as this summer, after which it will undergo testing in public areas with a safety driver. The project team is therefore right on schedule.

Contribution of the DLR Institute for AI Safety and Security

In this interdisciplinary project, the DLR Institute for AI Safety and Security is responsible for ensuring the connectivity of digital solutions to comprehensive data and service ecosystems in the mobility sector. This involves designing and creating trustworthy data spaces and networking them. Our scientists are contributing their expertise to ensure a high level of data security and privacy protection.

The NeMo.bil project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) and is an example of how digital technologies can contribute to the transformation of the mobility sector.