Across Germany, cities, companies and transport operators are testing innovative solutions as part of pilot projects, co-funded by the European Union, to make everyday travel safer, more efficient, and more inclusive. From accident-reporting apps for buses to navigation for blind people and smarter e-bike security, 2025 has been a year of real-world pilots showing how technology can improve urban mobility for everyone. These projects have been supported by EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.
Smarter and safer bus journeys with AI
The local public transport operator of the Rhein/Erft region, REVG, teamed up with tech startup Mapular to trial SmartDrive AI, an app that makes accident reporting faster, simpler, and more accurate. For two weeks in September, 25 bus drivers and five accident managers used the app to record real traffic incidents. The app captures data offline at the scene, logs exact locations, and automatically generates reports – cutting down paperwork and improving safety monitoring. Staff feedback helped refine the SmartDrive AI system, allowing teams to focus on safety and spend less time on reporting – benefits that have prompted REVG to roll it out across its network in 2026.
Helping blind and partially sighted people navigate the city
In Berlin, NaviBlind tested a new navigation app and hardware system designed to guide blind and partially sighted people safely through the city. Users receive step-by-step voice instructions and alerts when they stray from a route.
Over several months, tests took place across Berlin, including Steglitz, Grunewald, Treptow-Köpenick, and Karow. Ten users participated in a public Demo Week in October, trying the app in real-life conditions.
The system uses highly accurate positioning technology to ensure users can travel independently and confidently. Following the pilot, trial subscriptions have started in Berlin, with plans to expand to Munich, Stuttgart, and Frankfurt.
“This is about giving people the freedom to move safely in the city,” said one NaviBlind user.
As e-bikes become more popular, theft has become a growing problem. The VELOSAFE project, led by IoT Venture in cooperation with insurance provider Laka and bicycle manufacturer Tout Terrain, is tackling the issue with a first-of-its-kind solution. VELOSAFE combines GPS tracking, digital insurance, and automated recovery services into a single system installed at the point of sale. When a bike is stolen, the system automatically alerts authorities and helps recover the bike faster. Piloted in 2025 through Tout Terrain’s dealer network, the solution makes e-bike ownership safer and more attractive, encouraging more people to choose cycling as a sustainable mode of transport.
Smarter data for the bicycle industry
The MDS (Market Data Service) International project gives the bicycle industry near real-time information about sales and inventory in Germany. By collecting data from shops and online stores, it helps manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers understand which bikes are popular, which are in stock, and how to meet demand efficiently.
This transparency is particularly important as the European bicycle industry grows and adapts to global supply chain challenges. Accurate data ensures bikes are available when and where they’re needed, and helps to forecast future trends, supporting the continued growth of sustainable mobility. With over 16% of the German cycling market already signed up for the service, it is set to have an important impact on the industry.
Making cities more mobile for everyone
Together, these projects show how innovation can make city life safer, more accessible, and more efficient. From bus drivers spending less time on paperwork, to blind people moving freely through Berlin, to safer e-bike travel and smarter industry decisions, 2025 has been a year of practical solutions for everyday mobility in Germany.
By testing these technologies in real-life conditions, cities and companies are finding what works – and preparing for a future where moving around urban areas is easier, safer, and greener for everyone.
For more information on these projects visit: https://www.eiturbanmobility.eu/our-impact/supported-projects-and-initiatives/
