Material effects enable autonomous future
About the Project
SUE is an autonomous People Mover that will start operating on public roads in the Bavarian district of Kelheim in 2025. The vehicle and its software are 100% developed, designed and made in Germany.
Find out more about the project and stay tuned for the upcoming reveal of SUE on the UE | STUDIOS website.
SUE is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.
A revolution you can see through
Experience large, curved 3D Makrolon® windows that transform rides with stunning 360° views.
Makrolon® glazing offers weight savings, efficient thermal management, and design freedom.
Makrolon® is available with bio-circular attributed certified feedstock via mass balance, offering options up to a zero-carbon footprint.
The eyes of the vehicle
Stunning design takes autonomous driving to the next level. Makrolon® integrates sensors seamlessly in autonomous exterior design.
With excellent sensor transparency, Makrolon® is crucial for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, as it ensures high sensing range and stable signal quality.
Makrolon® protects LiDAR and RADAR systems safely, guiding you smoothly to your destination.
Sensory Revolution
Arfinio® debuts in vehicle interiors.
Experience the world's first sensory interior on the road.
Arfinio®'s silky surface evokes spa-like sensations at your fingertips, transforming driving into a multi-sensory journey.
Merging emotion with performance and sustainability, Arfinio® allows for easy in-vehicle repairs, ensuring your interior remains stylish and pristine for years to come.
More sustainable comfort starts here
With Desmopan® AIR TPU granules and an innovative extrusion-based process called Parallel-Layered Manufacturing, we are rethinking automotive comfort.
The effect:
Breathable, washable cushioning layers that support a more sustainable future by making car seats more recyclable by design.
Every journey welcomes you home.
From the very beginning, our goal was to create a forward-thinking, autonomous People Mover designed to shape the future of public transport. Throughout the development and design process, we placed particular emphasis on sustainability, human centric design and suitability for public transport. In close collaboration with Covestro and their unique expertise in integrated application, process, and product development, we were able to fully meet our strict material requirements across all three areas.
Makrolon® partnership
In partnership with Exolon Group, our advanced Makrolon® materials are transformed into precision-engineered polycarbonate sheets that meet the demanding requirements of next-generation autonomous vehicles.
Our project portfolio includes sustainable solutions across multiple recycling and renewable pathways:
- Mechanically recycled grades (R-grades)
- Mass-balanced chemically recycled grades (RP-grades with PCR content)
- Mass-balanced renewable attributed grades (RE-grades)
Challenges solved
- Mineral glass's poor 3D-formability and high weight reduces EV range by increasing energy consumption.
- Mineral glass limits design freedom, impact resistance and LiDAR integration.
- Poor quality control causes high production rejects due to impurities.
- Current car cushioning is hard to recycle and made from complex material combinations.
- Converting heavy solid surfaces to lightweight materials and enhancing repairability and maintenance for interiors.
