UE | STUDIOS has officially unveiled the “Self-driving Urban E-Shuttle” (SUE) – a fully autonomous, electric minibus designed to redefine the future of public transportation. The vehicle combines cutting-edge technology with sustainable materials such as those from Covestro. It was developed in collaboration with a consortium of ten partners.
The so-called People Mover, which will be tested on public roads this year at speeds of up to 50 km/h, is the result of a project funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) and the European Union.
“The People Mover is more than just a vehicle – it’s 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 381cm large windshield made of polycarbonate. Additionally, we considered recycling during the design process and worked with three fully recyclable monomaterials Arfinio®, TPU and Polycarbonate that can be found either in interior or exterior.”
Material Effects for the Major Trends in Mobility
The materials used in the People Mover demonstrate Covestro’s Material Effects and include, for example, Makrolon® AG for the 381cm panoramic glazing. Covestro can offer this innovative polycarbonate solution based on 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. This innovative solution enables seamless and invisible integration of sensor technology while providing resistance to vandalism and stone impacts.
In the interior, the lightweight, high-quality, and fully recyclable monomaterial Arfinio® is used in a vehicle for the first time. The material combines a stone-like appearance and feel with high resistance to mechanical stress, UV radiation, and wear.
A consistent monomaterial approach with recycling in mind was also pursued for the seat upholstery. Printed TPU-based solutions made of Desmopan® AIR provide high seating comfort combined with high abrasion resistance and easy cleaning – a crucial factor for vehicles in continuous public transit operation.
Monomaterials Facilitate Recycling
The use of monomaterials also facilitates recycling at the end of the lifecycle and supports SUE’s claim to consider sustainability not only in the propulsion system but throughout the entire vehicle architecture.
“With SUE, we pursued a user- and design-centered approach from the beginning,” says Alexander Uedelhoven, founder and project manager of SUE and authorized signatory at UE | STUDIOS. “We wanted to develop not just a technologically advanced vehicle, but one optimally aligned with passenger needs in terms of service, information, ergonomics, and aesthetics. The materials and extensive technical expertise from Covestro gave us the freedom to implement this vision without compromises.”
The project was realized in collaboration with renowned partners, including the Institute for Automotive Engineering of the Lower Saxony Research Centre for Automotive Technology (NFF), TÜV Nord, the Fraunhofer Institute EMFT, and Deutsche Bahn (DB Regio).
As initiator, project manager and vehicle manufacturer, UE | STUDIOS are responsible for the overall concept, complete development, design and production of the SUE People Mover.
