Profile
Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) will realize the once considered science fiction vision of "flying cars" in the coming years with the market readiness of air taxis. This concept serves as a technology demonstrator for locally emission-free mobility in the third dimension, particularly in areas with high population density, traffic congestion, or complex topography. Advances in electric propulsion and energy storage technologies, including electricity and hydrogen, enable the efficient implementation of AAM. The growing interest in AAM in recent years is noticeable, but societal acceptance ultimately depends on a secure integration into an intelligent air and ground-based structure. This requires the convergence of scientific expertise in areas such as engineering, materials research, simulation, and traffic experiments.
The RTG AirMetro supervises 22 PhD theses during the first funding period with high scientific and societal value, providing answers to socio-technical questions. The same number of additional PhD students will join workshops and other social events as associated members. An interdisciplinary team of ten experts leads the RTG, covering various fields such as ecology, economy, technology, and sociological security needs. This profile is globally unique, especially in the context of European consortium research.
The distinctive features of the RTG include an interdisciplinary linkage of techno-economic conditions, physical-technical modeling, socio-technical analysis, and the development of aircraft and communication technologies. The RTG promotes a systemic approach with practical, experimental research, including the development of computational models for sensor fusion and the design of optimized transportation networks.
The qualification and mentoring concept at TU Dresden for the RTG is unique and comprises innovative courses, workshops, and summer schools. The combination of expertise and the interdisciplinary approach of the RTG promise a progressive research network that addresses current challenges in urban and regional mobility. The synergy of various fields will yield high-profile PhD theses and publications from the emerging scientific talent.