IFA – Institute for Innovative Automotive Drives

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IFA – Institute for Innovative Automotive Drives

Going forward, mobility needs to be safe and reliable as well as environmentally and socially acceptable. As a major bedrock of the economic and social system, it represents one of the focal areas of research at Kempten University of Applied Sciences, with many experts in mobility conducting research into alternative drives, networked mobility and driver assistance systems. 

An important element of this research and development work takes place under the auspices of the IFA – Institute for Innovative Automotive Drives in Kempten (formerly TT Electric Mobility – Kempten), focusing on drive technologies in the areas of electric mobility, hydrogen and connected mobility.

Research is conducted mainly within the framework of publicly funded projects. Things all started out in 2009 with the “eE-Tour Allgäu” project, funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, which tested how holidays in the future could involve efficient electric mobility.

Since its launch, the IFA has worked intensively with partners in industry based in the mobility sector. In the course of numerous projects, a close partnership developed with the vehicle tuner ABT Sportsline, especially in constructing electric vehicles. Pioneering work was conducted in jointly developing battery-powered electric delivery vehicles, which were used for testing a wide range of applications.

Main research topics at the Institute for Innovative Automotive Drives

  • Technical innovations for energy-efficient vehicles – battery and fuel cell technology
  • New mobility concepts including charging infrastructure – private/public transport and last-mile logistics
  • Big Data: Data collection tools and databases – including fleet analyses, recording the condition of roads
  • Developing new vehicle test benches – e.g. for measuring fine dust particles on brakes
  • Drones
  • Developing apps – ascertaining range, accident research (together with ADAC)
  • Cross-border collaboration and transport concepts in the Alpine region – within the framework of Interreg, part of the European Union’s structural and investment policy

To support the introduction of e-mobility, the IFA offers e-mobility coaching. Our experts identify a company’s mobility requirements and analyse how many of the conventional combustion vehicles in a fleet can be replaced by electric vehicles. Particular aspects of interest are range limitations, long charging times and the patchy charging infrastructure to date.

Electromobility in teaching

The topic of electromobility also has a major impact on teaching. The findings from research flow back directly into the lecture theatre – thus giving young scientists an insight into the current status in practice. Even closer to hands-on applications is the student Infinity Racing Team at Kempten University of Applied Sciences, which repeatedly puts up impressive performances in competitions. Last but not least, the direct contact that students have with companies in the e-mobility sector as part of their degree programmes also plays an important role in teaching and learning.

Some current and completed research projects at the Institute for Innovative Automotive Drives

Contact

Professor Andreas Rupp, Dr.-Ing.
Director
Tel. 0049 (0)831 2523-241 or -101
andreas.rupp(at)hs-kempten.de

Location
Leonhardstrasse 19, 87437 Kempten, Germany

          

Publications

Work output by the IFA is posted on the publications server at Kempten University of Applied Sciences.

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