VITRONIC is delighted to be part of the pioneering research project MAD Urban - “Managed Automated Driving”. Together with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the future of automated driving in urban areas is being researched at Tostmannplatz in the north of Braunschweig.
The aim of the project is to demonstrate the feasibility of an infrastructure-supported automated driving concept in urban areas. MAD Urban is funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK).
The Key Idea: Vehicle Control via Intelligent Infrastructure
The MAD Urban project implements an innovative approach to vehicle automation: Instead of integrating automation functions in the vehicle, these are outsourced to the infrastructure, to edge and cloud systems. By continuously detecting all objects - on the road or in intersections - using infrastructure-based sensors, automated vehicles can be remotely controlled by appropriately equipped operating areas. This not only increases the economic efficiency of autonomous driving, but above all the safety of all road users, as critical traffic situations can be detected at an early stage.
Tostmannplatz Test Field: Real-Time Data for Greater Traffic Safety
At the beginning of April, VITRONIC and DLR jointly installed two innovative sensor columns at Tostmannplatz in Braunschweig to analyze traffic. The focus here is on high-performance detection systems based on stereo camera, radar and LiDAR technology. These systems use AI to detect and classify road users and obstacles in real time with high precision, thus enabling a comprehensive traffic image - the basis for safe, connected driving. Personal data is not recorded or stored.
The recorded sensor data flows into a central data hub, where it is processed in real time. By continuously recording all objects in the intersection area, automated vehicles will be guided safely across the intersection during the test phase at Tostmannplatz.
Stationary sensor technology significantly increases road safety: it detects areas over a large area and from multiple angles - even where vehicle-integrated systems reach their limits. For example, concealed road users are detected reliably and at an early stage - before they even enter the field of vision or sensor range of a vehicle. This makes it possible to anticipate and avoid potential hazards: An important building block for greater road safety and a key contribution to Vision Zero."
The test project in Braunschweig is the first of its kind in the world in which the complete control of vehicles by road technology is to be tested. The research team has set itself the long-term goal of transforming the project solutions into marketable products and industrial applications, particularly for a smart infrastructure.
New Column in Use
For VITRONIC, the MAD Urban research project at Tostmannplatz is associated with an additional world premiere: a new generation of columns is being used for the first time - in the project with stereo optical sensor technology. The robust, weatherproof and urban space-friendly housing can be used flexibly thanks to its modular construction. The choice of materials, production and energy consumption have all been sustainably optimized - in line with the principles of green engineering.
The official market launch of the latest VITRONIC housing generation is planned for the end of this year or the beginning of next year.
In addition to DLR as consortium leader and VITRONIC, other companies and research institutions are involved in MAD Urban, such as the Research Center for Information Technology (FZI) in Karlsruhe, Intel, GFT, Balluff and the city of Braunschweig.
The traffic research at Tostmannplatz will run until the end of September 2025.
VITRONIC is the world's leading innovation driver for machine vision, enabling its customers to master the challenges of tomorrow.
The global group of companies develops forward-looking solutions in the form of specialized products and software for image-based quality inspection, identification and process optimization, which find application in the growth sectors of automation and traffic engineering.
VITRONIC solutions make an important contribution to helping shape a safe and sustainable world. The existing limits of what is economically feasible are constantly being questioned in order to achieve the highest quality and productivity, for example in the production of automotive and pharmaceutical companies. Worldwide, Auto-ID solutions in logistics centers and at cargo airports, take over the reliable and efficient recording of shipments and thus ensure a transparent flow of goods.
In the transport sector, VITRONIC offers leading technology for increased safety on the roads, for optimizing traffic flow and for recording road usage.
Open and honest dealings with our customers form the foundation for jointly exploiting technological and process potential to the full. Joint success forms the basis of long-term cooperation with companies such as B. Braun, BMW, Daimler, DHL, UPS, Fresenius and Sanofi as well as with public clients.
Since its foundation in 1984, VITRONIC has been growing continuously for 40 years. The current annual turnover (2023) is above 240 million EUR and the company is currently represented on five continents in over 80 countries with approximately 1,400 employees. Since 2024 the company is part of ITIS Holding, leveraging the strengths of both entities, creating a strong end-to-end ITS and automation provider.
Development and production of VITRONIC systems are located at the company headquarters in Wiesbaden. VITRONIC subsidiaries span across all continents, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Additionally, a global network of sales and service partners ensures localized support for international customers.