--- title: "German Space Agency Shows Off Outrageous Modular Vehicle Prototype" description: "German Aerospace Center (DLR) has come with a fully modular futuristic vehicle concept that looks unlike anything we've seen before." date: "2020-09-21" modified: "2020-09-21" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/ultra-modular-german-electric-vehicle" categories: - "Advanced Transport" tags: - "autonomous driving" - "electric bus" - "modular vehicle" --- # German Space Agency Shows Off Outrageous Modular Vehicle Prototype ![German Aerospace Center (DLR) has come with a fully modular futuristic vehicle concept that looks unlike anything we've seen before.]() *\Image: DLR\* ## U-Shift While it wasn't busy [commanding a mole]() to dig through the Martian topsoil, German Aerospace Center (DLR) has come with a futuristic vehicle concept unlike anything we've seen before. ![]() Its [U-shift vehicle concept]() is designed to transform itself into anything from a cargo pod, an on-call bus, or even a mobile sales vehicle. It does so by switching out capsule-like structures attached to the top, reminiscent of a scaled down semi truck. The outrageous concept lies extremely low to the ground, as there's no need for a driver's seat — the system is designed to drive entirely by itself. ![]() DLR claims the capsules would be cheaper than other specialty-use vehicles — since they don't require building an entirely new drivetrain every time — and can serve a whole host of different purposes. ![]() The concept's cargo capsule alone has enough space for four pallets or eight rolling cabinets, according to the center. The passenger pod is big enough to seat seven, plus an extra folding seat. ![]() While it's designed to become fully autonomous, the futuristic prototype, as it exists right now, is remote-controlled by a nearby driver. Once autonomous, it's designed to make deliveries or transport passengers around the clock. DLR is now focused on beefing up the concept's drivetrain, install networking hardware, and make other improvements including a new battery system. **READ MORE:** [The first pro­to­type of the fu­tur­is­tic U-Shift ve­hi­cle con­cept makes its de­but]() \[DLR\] **More on modular vehicles:** *[Startup Thinks Its Modular Car Design Is the Future of EVs]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()