An important partner in the European context is the French cluster network CARA - European Cluster for Mobility Solutions in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. With more than 210 members from industry and science, CARA is one of the leading French innovation networks for the development of innovative mobility and logistics solutions. CARA deals in depth with the societal, technological and economic requirements of future transport systems in urban areas.
With the transnational cooperation project "German-French Alliance for Innovative Mobility Solutions (AllFraTech)", e-mobil BW and the Cluster Electric Mobility South-West further strengthened this long-standing partnership in 2017 with a joint strategy process and transnational cooperation projects. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
An essential aim is to support small and medium-sized businesses in international cooperation. Through workshops and working groups, the members of both cluster networks are closely involved in shaping the cooperation strategy.
Four fields of activity for cooperation in research and development were identified, based on the innovation strategies of both networks, their members' technological capabilities and present challenges for the mobility systems of the future:
Other important strategic issues covered relate to training and further education in the field of future mobility solutions and intercultural communication.
During the implementation phase, which started in mid-2018, the jointly drafted cooperation strategy serves as basis for two transnational research and development projects on current questions concerning future mobility solutions:
In both projects, companies, universities and research institutes from Baden-Württemberg and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes are working in close cooperation on the development of technological innovations for the mobility of the future. In addition to that, a third transnational research and development project is in planning.
The AllFraTech project serves as the basis for a gradual deepening of cooperative relations between e-mobil BW with the Cluster Electric Mobility South-West and essential innovation networks in France.
There are also active contacts with Pôle Mov’eo (Île-de-France and Normandy regions) and Pôle Véhicule du Futur (Grand Est region). In the coming years, these shall be further deepened in transnational cooperation projects uniting stakeholders from industry, science and research. In addition, it is planned to establish valuable contacts to further clusters and networks in France.