How prototype.club is driving the future of mobility

prototype.club serves as a platform that connects startups with renowned companies to develop and advance innovative technologies as well as solutions. In collaboration with the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), prototype.club has been hosting a developer competition focused on mobility at IAA MOBILITY and IAA TRANSPORTATION since 2021. This competition not only offers young companies a stage to showcase their prototypes but also provides access to a premier network of experts, resources, and leading industry players. 

prototype.club at IAA MOBILITY and IAA TRANSPORTATION 

By now, prototype.club has become a staple of IAA MOBILITY and IAA TRANSPORTATION. In 2022, for example, participants developed an image recognition software for precise real-time detection and localization of vehicles with the aim of calculating the driving lanes of cars on the Autobahn A39. The participants were provided with a set of camera data from two masts and created a prototype within two weeks, which was later on further optimized in collaboration with the German Aerospace Center (DLR). In 2023, in partnership with Bosch, the focus was on developing ROS-based software for delivery robots. Participants received radar and ultrasound sensors, which they were supposed to integrate into their robots within two weeks. 

Prototype.club also celebrated success at IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024. Focus was on the startup sector, where prototype.club presented 36 startups from 15 countries. These startups showcased technologies in areas such as electric mobility, hydrogen solutions, and digital infrastructure, offering a glimpse into a more sustainable and connected future. The prototype.club booth was a vibrant meeting point for industry experts, investors, and stakeholders discussing the implementation of these innovations. 

The “Driver’s Vital & Mood Detection Challenge” in collaboration with Daimler Truck AG 

In addition to an APCOA Challenge aimed at optimizing urban spaces through innovative parking and city infrastructure solutions, the focus was especially on the kickoff for the “Driver’s Vital & Mood Detection Challenge” in collaboration with the Daimler Truck AG. prototype.club managed the project, selecting startups, and coordinating the entire initiative. The core idea of the challenge was to develop technologies that monitor the health and emotions of the truck drivers in real-time. The goal was to create a new dimension of driver support: intelligent vehicle interactions that would not only minimize accident risks but also improve the well-being of drivers on long and often demanding routes. To achieve this, the startups participating were tasked with developing algorithms based on data from health wearables and in-cabin cameras. The aim was to develop technologies that sustainably enhance driver safety and health, as drivers play a central role in global supply chains. 

After the announcement of the challenge at IAA TRANSPORTATION, prototypes were developed within weeks and presented to a panel of experts at Daimler Truck. Initially, all teams presented their results online. The top three teams then had the opportunity to present their solutions at Daimler Truck’s headquarters. The finalists, proband15, Nuverse, and sdp, impressed the jury with three creative approaches that offered life-saving solutions and set new standards in driver assistance and road safety. 

prototype.club at IAA MOBILITY 2025 

At IAA MOBILITY 2025, prototype.club, in collaboration with the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), will once again participate with a developer competition. More information on how interested startups can register will follow in the coming months.