A prototype of a modular electric vehicle created in Germany

Despite all the existing difficulties, the development of the transport of the future does not stop for a minute. So DLR (German Center for Aviation and Space) demonstrated a working prototype of a modular electric transport, which is implemented in two parts.

The first is a small U-shaped wheelbase with a pre-installed electric motor and an attached module, which can be in two versions: a box for the transport of passengers and a box for cargo.

At the moment, the platform is controlled remotely by an operator, but by 2024 it is planned to release a model with fully autonomous control.

Why do you need modular transport at all

If you look at the current situation, then existing cars perform a strictly defined task: either the carriage of goods or the carriage of passengers. Narrow specialization, of course, makes the machines more efficient in performing specific tasks, but their downtime can greatly increase.

After all, you cannot carry many passengers on a truck, and vice versa, you cannot bring a lot of material on a bus.

The modern concept of modular transport implies the use of a common platform on which different types of bodies are simply installed to perform specific tasks.

Developed by German scientists

German engineers began to actively develop a modular transport project back in 2019 and less than a year later showed the general public a concept with two different platforms.

The base is a flat platform, realized in the shape of the letter P, into which an electric motor, batteries and sensors responsible for the autonomy of movement (not yet used in full and the platform is controlled remotely operator).

In this case, the task of the platform directly depends on what type of body is connected.

So far, two types have been implemented:

1. A block designed to transport people.
2. Cargo container.

The developers plan to engage in both independent and joint platform tests by 2024. And then release an updated fully autonomous version with a top speed of 60 km per hour.

And when the development will go into commercial use is unknown.

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