Vehicular Applications Group

In the mission "Autonomy and Cooperation for Transportation and Exploration", we, the Vehicular Applications Group of the Communication Systems department, research the key technologies of robust multi-sensor localization and reliable, low-latency communication. In our midterm goals "Guardian Angel - Protecting Vulnerable Road Users" and "Safe and Robust Communications and Localization for Next Generation Trains", we focus our research on the road and rail transport of the future.

The research tasks are experimental, simulative, and theoretical in nature. Many of the research tasks can be formulated as estimation or decision tasks. They require an extensive understanding of the underlying models, such as propagation, process, and sensor models. The theoretical investigations and approaches are then validated in real-world scenarios through extensive series of tests, experiments, and research prototypes.

Based on our many years of experience, we are proven and recognized experts on these groundbreaking technologies in the Vehicular Applications Group. We conduct research for the safe, efficient, and flexible road and rail transport of tomorrow. We successfully contribute our expertise to working groups of standardization bodies to make our research approaches and results available to a broad public. For example, we actively contribute to the Joint Taskforce of Intelligent Transportation Systems and Rail Telecommunications Technical Committee (JTFIR) of the European Telecommunications Standard Institute (ETSI) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) LAN/MAN Standards Committee (IEEE 802) and its subgroups.

Our research results are used to advance key technologies and to develop prototypes up to the application and possibly with industry partners ready-to-use products. For the transportation system of the future, the Vehicular Applications Research Group continues to drive forward the digitization of rail and road transport and the associated value creation.

Links and more information

Next Generation Train

In order to enable innovative rail concepts (next generation train), scientists at the DLR Institute of Communications and Navigation are working on new communication methods for train traffic and are focusing on communication between trains (train-to-train).

Guardian Angel - Protecting Vulnerable Road Users

We are developing new communication, localization and detection concepts and technologies to protect vulnerable road users (VRU) - on the way to the vision of "zero road fatalities".

Pedestrian Indoor Navigation

Positioning in buildings and other environments where GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) reception is difficult requires a combination of sensors and other information, such as building plans, to work accurately.

V2X DuRail - Vehicle-to-Everything

With the aim of increasing safety, comfort and efficiency in rail transportation, a DLR project team has investigated radio systems that enable safe communication between trains, partial trains and carriages and with crossing road traffic.

April 2, 2020

Erkennung von Straßenverkehrsteilnehmern durch Funksignale

Unser Verkehr befindet sich im Wandel. Die Automatisierung der Fahrzeuge schreitet immer stärker voran. Damit hoch automatisierte Fahrzeuge sicher und effizient am urbanen Straßenverkehr teilnehmen können, müssen sie untereinander vernetzt sein. Allein die Vernetzung erlaubt eine koordinierte Planung von Fahrmanövern und ein schnelles Eingreifen bei Ereignissen, etwa dem Auffahren auf ein Stauende.