Plastic Sustainable Materials for the Mobility of the Future

From Covestro | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

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UE Studios has officially unveiled the "Self-driving Urban E-Shuttle" (SUE)—a fully autonomous, electric minibus that is set to redefine the future of public transportation. On board are sustainable materials from Covestro.

The People Mover at its world premiere. The large polycarbonate windshield is clearly visible. One of several materials contributed by Covestro.(Image: UE | STUDIOS)
The People Mover at its world premiere. The large polycarbonate windshield is clearly visible. One of several materials contributed by Covestro.
(Image: UE | STUDIOS)

The so-called People Mover, which will be driving on public roads at speeds of up to 31 mph for test purposes as early as this year, is the result of a project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) and the European Union. "The People Mover is more than just a vehicle—it is a showcase for the future of mobility," explains Jochen Hardt, Head of Global Marketing Mobility at Covestro. "It also vividly demonstrates the material effect, for example in the 12.5 feet polycarbonate windshield. We also thought about recycling during the design phase and worked with three recyclable monomaterials—Arfinio, TPU and polycarbonate—both inside and out."

Material Effects for the Major Trends in Mobility

The materials used in the People Mover showcase Covestro's Material Effects and include Makrolon AG for the 12.5 feet panoramic glazing. Covestro can also provide this polycarbonate solution with mass-balanced raw materials from post-consumer waste.
For the autonomous driving systems, opaque but sensor-transparent Makrolon AX ST is used for multi-sensor system covers. With this solution, the sensor technology can be integrated seamlessly and invisibly, while at the same time being resistant to vandalism and stone chipping.

Covestro is also represented in the interior: With TPU monomaterial in the seats, or the stone-like material Arfinio.(Image: UE | STUDIOS)
Covestro is also represented in the interior: With TPU monomaterial in the seats, or the stone-like material Arfinio.
(Image: UE | STUDIOS)

The lightweight and fully recyclable mono-material Arfinio is being used in the interior for the first time in a vehicle. The material combines a stone-like look and feel with high resistance to mechanical stress, UV radiation and wear. Recycling was also taken into account for the upholstery and a consistent mono-material approach was pursued. Printed TPU-based solutions made from Desmopan AIR enable a high level of seating comfort combined with high abrasion resistance and easy cleaning—a decisive factor for vehicles in continuous public transport operation.

About the SUE project

SUE (Self-driving Urban E-Shuttle) is an autonomous, fully electric people mover that is shaping the public transport of tomorrow. The vehicle was developed from scratch and is a "Made in Germany" lighthouse project for technological sovereignty and sustainable mobility. SUE is initiated and managed by UE | STUDIOS. The consortium comprises ten partners: DB Regio, ElringKlinger AG, Faissner Petermeier Fahrzeugtechnik AG, TÜV NORD Mobilität, Fraunhofer EMFT, Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt, Niedersächsisches Forschungszentrum Fahrzeugtechnik, Landkreis Kelheim and IFG Ingolstadt. The project is funded by the Federal Republic of Germany and the European Union with the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy as the funding body on the basis of a resolution of the German Bundestag.

Monomaterials Make Recycling Easier

The use of mono-materials generally facilitates recycling at the end of the life cycle and supports SUE's claim to consider sustainability not only in the drive system, but along the entire vehicle architecture. "With SUE, we have pursued a user-centered and strongly design-oriented approach right from the start," says Alexander Uedelhoven, founder and project manager of SUE and authorized signatory at UE | STUDIOS. "We not only wanted to develop a technologically advanced vehicle, but one that is optimally geared towards the needs of passengers in terms of service, information, ergonomics and aesthetics. Covestro's materials and extensive technical expertise gave us the freedom to realize this vision without compromise."

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