Implementing data- and AI-based solutions for mobility and logistics

"Data-driven innovation requires vibrant data ecosystems – and trustworthy data spaces provide the central foundation for this," emphasizes Manfred Rauhmeier, Chairman of the acatech Foundation. "With the partnership between Mobility Data Space, which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) and Minister Schnieder, and IAV, we are enabling companies, start-ups, and public actors to responsibly develop innovative mobility and logistics solutions from idea to product."

In order to successfully implement these solutions, the collaboration is designed for the long term: "A key to the successful implementation of these solutions is long-term collaboration: We are entering into a strategic partnership with Mobility Data Space to jointly develop, implement, and scale data- and AI-based solutions in the mobility ecosystem," says Sebastian Sinning, CTO of IAV. "As a specialist and engineering partner for mobility and technology, IAV brings decades of innovative strength and system expertise to the table. This ranges from the development and networking of mobility-relevant data to its intelligent analysis and integration into market-ready applications."

Focus on connectivity and automated mobility

The partnership between MDS and IAV centers on the joint implementation of data- and AI-based solutions in key areas of mobility: from connectivity, automated driving, and predictive maintenance to urban data management, digital twins for fleet applications, and digital platforms and services.

MDS Managing Director Marc Augusto explains what such support means in concrete terms, using the example of automated driving: "With IAV as its anchor partner, Mobility Data Space will be able to support key steps in automated driving in the future – from the preparation of regulatory processes to data harmonization and interoperability to the implementation of scaled operating models. Powerful data rooms are crucial for the safe and reliable operation of complex overall systems."

Operational data space meets development partner

The strategic partnership allows the expertise of both organizations to work together in a targeted manner. "The MDS provides a neutral and interoperable infrastructure for sovereign, decentralized data exchange, especially in the context of the EU Data Act. As a long-standing development partner to the mobility industry, IAV contributes its expertise in data-driven platform solutions," explains Dr. Michael Gröschel, Head of Digital Solutions for Mobility at IAV.

With over 160 participating organizations, the MDS is a non-profit organization that encompasses a strong ecosystem through which different types of data can be exchanged in a directly consumable form. With its broad portfolio of solutions for connected mobility, digital platforms, and data-based services, IAV now supports this sovereign data exchange in the spirit of an open and interoperable ecosystem. In the development of intelligent mobility solutions, IAV operates at the interface between automotive and IT, integrates diverse partner ecosystems, and takes on the overarching coordination of complex overall systems.

Together, Mobility Data Space and IAV are thus creating the conditions for faster innovation growth in the mobility and transport industry – through data- and AI-based solutions that can be implemented in both the public and private sectors.

About the Mobility Data Space:

The Mobility Data Space (MDS) is a data ecosystem through which partners in the mobility sector can exchange data independently in order to enable and further develop innovative, environmentally friendly, and user-friendly mobility concepts. The technical design of the MDS is being developed in close coordination with European and national initiatives to ensure interoperability with European data spaces. The supporting organization is the non-profit organization DRM Datenraum Mobilität GmbH. The MDS is funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV).

In addition to the acatech Foundation, the shareholders are BMW INTEC Beteiligungs GmbH, Caruso GmbH, Deutsche Bahn Aktiengesellschaft, the DHL Group, HERE Europe B.V., HUK-COBURG Haftpflicht-Unterstützungs-Kasse kraftfahrender Beamter Deutschlands a.G. in Coburg, Mercedes-Benz AG, VDV eTicket Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, and Volkswagen Group Info Services AG, as well as the federal states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and North Rhine-Westphalia.

About IAV

As one of the world’s leading engineering and technology partners to the automotive industry, IAV is developing the digital mobility of the future. The company has been developing innovative concepts, methods, and solutions for over 40 years and generated sales of €910.6 million in 2024.

With 6,600 employees worldwide, IAV brings together the best of different worlds: the automotive and IT worlds, the hardware and software worlds, and the product and service worlds. In addition to vehicle and powertrain development, the company focused early on topics such as e-mobility and autonomous driving and is now one of the leading technology providers in these areas.

In addition to its development centers in Berlin, Gifhorn, and Stollberg, IAV has other locations in Germany, including Munich, Sindelfingen, Heimsheim, and Ingolstadt, as well as in Europe, Africa, Asia, and North and South America.

About the Mobility Data Space

The Mobility Data Space (MDS) is a data ecosystem through which partners in the mobility sector can exchange data on their own terms in order to enable and develop innovative, environmentally and user-friendly mobility concepts. The technical design of the MDS is being implemented in close coordination with European and national initiatives to ensure interoperability with European data spaces. The Mobility Data Space’s operating company is the non-profit organization DRM Datenraum Mobilität GmbH. The MDS is funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV).

In addition to the acatech Foundation, the shareholders are BMW INTEC Beteiligungs GmbH, Caruso GmbH, Deutsche Bahn Aktiengesellschaft, the DHL Group, HERE Europe B.V., HUK-COBURG Haftpflicht-Unterstützungs-Kasse kraftfahrender Beamter Deutschlands a.G. in Coburg, Mercedes-Benz AG, VDV eTicket Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, and Volkswagen Group Info Services AG, as well as the federal states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and North Rhine-Westphalia.