TUMCREATE is a joint research programme between Technische Universität München (TUM) in Germany and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore with funding by the National Research Foundation of Singapore.

The initiation of TUMCREATE begun with TUM Asia, where TUM Asia partnered NTU and the National Research Foundation (NRF) to discuss the possibility of a research group in 2010. Representing TUM, TUM Asia pioneered the start of this partnership, which has evolved to a full-fledged research group comprising of over 10 Research Projects. TUM Asia students and graduates are also frequently involved in projects at TUMCREATE, further developing their research capabilities while contributing to new discoveries with Singapore’s transportation sytem.

TUMCREATE PHASE ONE

TUMCREATE’s Phase 1’s objective was to develop innovative technologies, future transportation concepts and the application of electric vehicles (EVs) to match the challenging requirements of fast-growing tropical megacities. It achieved this with the breakthrough of EVA, the world’s first purpose-built electric taxi.

Working on the scale of the molecule to the mega-city, over 100 scientists and engineers worked in ten research areas including new battery materials, EV design, computer modelling and simulations, and transportation systems design. One of TUMCREATE’s biggest achievements was to design and build the world’s first purpose-built electric taxi. The scientists and engineers continue to explore cutting-edge concepts including solar-powered parking lots, high-speed battery charging, wireless charging and other radical technologies.

TUMCREATE PHASE TWO

In 2016, TUMCREATE embarked on Phase 2 of their research work, working towards building the Ultimate Transport System. TUMCREATE Phase 2 will close the existing transport gap between Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) and Bus. Their research will generate concepts for this new transport domain that increase comfort and efficiency for commuters. In this intention, TUMCREATE aims to develope strategies for optimising public mobility with emphasis on electrification and autonomy. Passengers as well as operators will benefit when public transport becomes the preferred mode of commuting in Singapore.

www.tum-create.edu.sg