IN MOB – innovative products for sustainable micromobility

Location

Italy, Portugal, Slovenia

Client

European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA)

Funding Istitution

European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA)

The project

The IN-MOB project (2023 – 2026) aims to advance urban and peri-urban micromobility by developing and deploying innovative, sustainable, and smart transport solutions. As cities face increasing challenges related to congestion, pollution, and inefficient transportation systems, IN-MOB provides a strategic response through the creation of lightweight, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly micromobility options.

The project focuses on designing, prototyping, and testing six key elements within the micromobility sector, targeting both passenger and freight transport:

  1. Eco-friendly e-bikes and e-kick scooters made from recycled and recyclable materials to minimize the environmental impact.
  2. Cargo bikes with fast-charging capabilities, aiming to improve last-mile logistics in urban settings.
  3. Supercapacitor-based battery technology, offering rapid charging times and extended lifecycle compared to traditional lithium batteries.
  4. Lightweight electric motors, enhancing vehicle efficiency and user experience.
  5. Photovoltaic-powered charging stations, ensuring renewable energy sources for micromobility solutions.
  6. Innovative business models, including shared mobility and battery-swapping schemes.

The developed solutions will be tested in two pilot cities, Palermo (Italy) and Funchal (Madeira, Portugal), focusing on their unique transport challenges. Palermo will serve as a testbed for integrating micromobility with public transport, while Funchal will explore shared e-mobility services aimed at the tourism sector.

The project is expected to achieve a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 8 or 9, positioning the solutions for market readiness and commercialization.

By the end of the project, IN-MOB aims to contribute to EU sustainability goals by:

  • Reducing dependence on private vehicles and promoting clean, shared transport solutions.
  • Demonstrating successful public-private partnerships for micromobility.
  • Enhancing the urban liveability and tourist experience through innovative mobility options.
  • Creating a replicable framework for other European cities to adopt similar solutions.

The total budget is 4.215.285,72 €.

The project is implemented by a multidisciplinary consortium comprising the following partners:

  • University of Catania (IT) (Coordinator)
  • University of Florence (IT)
  • F&N Compositi (IT)
  • Project Vending (IT)
  • Gem Motors (SI)
  • Uneed.IT (IT)
  • Paseuconsulting (BE)
  • University of Palermo (IT)
  • Fondazione Marida Correnti (IT)
  • Esco srl (IT)
  • Camara Municipal do Funchal (PT)

Our role

UNEEDIT is involved in the design of the project pilots and is responsible of the application of the project ‘Innovation radar’, linked to the innovation management and exploitation of the project outputs.