The “WALEMO” in WALEMObase is an acronym of the German words for hydrogen, automation, light-weight construction and mobility, and “base” signifies the fundamental research into use in rural areas. The goal is to research vehicle automation, hydrogen propulsion and automotive lightweight construction:

• Integration of a combined hydrogen-battery hybrid system (hydrogen-based internal combustion engine-generator or a fuel cell with battery) into a compact automated shuttle vehicle
• Energy and thermal energy provision sufficient for long-distance travel to ensure comfortable, safe and sustainable operation of hydrogen vehicles, including algorithms for operating and driving strategies
• Generation of real-world and virtual data and scenarios for the highly automated operation of previously neglected rural areas as a basis for research, development and assurance of driving functions (OpenData approach)
• Research and development of new driving functions and algorithms to master specific challenges in rural areas (reduced infrastructure, variable environments, lack of road markings etc.)
• Optimization of sensor system design for environment detection in rural areas
• Aesthetic and secure sensor integration in robust, lightweight and environmentally friendly vehicle body structures

Construction and testing facilities in Lusatia, as well as direct communication, will provide Lusatian companies with easy access to state-of-the-art technologies, such as automated driving, hydrogen-based propulsion, lightweight construction with fiber composite technology and additive manufacturing, so that they can develop their own products and solutions and test them in practice.
Moreover, the synergies arising from round-the-clock mobility in rural areas thanks to automated vehicles and the extended range of travel afforded by hydrogen-based drive systems represent a technological solution for securing mobility in rural areas and thus for providing services of general interest, especially for previously disadvantaged groups. WALEMObase is one of the projects in the “Lausitzcluster Mobilität” (Lusatia Mobility Cluster) group. With its focus on access to technology and the democratization of mobility, WALEMObase aims to make a significant contribution to the economic and societal goals of structural change.