DLR is getting a new large-scale research facility for the mobility transition

Multisensory experience mozu is under construction

Mobility plays a significant role in our daily lives and in society. Conventional visualisation is often not sufficient to understand the complex interactions of urban mobility. With mozu, the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, DLR) is closing this gap by making new mobility worlds a virtual experience for all the senses. The centrepiece of the system is the VisionLab. Here, several people can interact simultaneously in a virtual 3D world and thus participate in the design process. This contributes to better planning and acceptance of future changes. The mozu facility is expected to go into full operation in September 2026.

The VisionLab as an immersive experience

The immersive experience takes place in the VisionLab. It includes a large video wall and several VR stations. The visualisation is supported by sound and smell simulation so that users can fully immerse themselves in the world. Effects such as wind, rain, heat, cold, sounds and odours are also integrated. This makes it possible to see what stops look like or how attractive new public transport services actually are. VR worlds and immersive experiences can make some people feel uncomfortable, which is why the effects are customisable and can be used to varying degrees.

For the presentation of future mobility worlds, 360° images and videos through to interactive, animated 3D worlds can be created. The focus is on experiencing and designing places, means of transport and infrastructure. To enable real human interaction, several people can simultaneously observe what is happening in the transport system, interact with each other and discuss in a group.

Framework for the virtual mobility worlds of the future

The integration of key data from traffic models is planned. For example, traffic behaviour or traffic flows could be incorporated into the virtual worlds. This is where the system particularly benefits from DLR's expertise: the comprehensive data and models that analyse traffic research in an interdisciplinary and systemic way and are incorporated into the virtual design. Different needs can be visualised through a change of perspective (e.g. age, time of day) and thus better incorporated into the planning. In addition, different planning variants can be compared and changes made. A corresponding framework is being developed for mozu for this purpose.

DLR-wide VR asset database

A DLR-wide VR asset database is used to manage transport-related 3D objects such as means of transport, bus stops and corresponding room furniture and entire scenes. Existing VR assets can be integrated and new ones added. The advantage of this database is to promote the DLR-wide exchange around VR and to facilitate future work in this area.

Curious?

mozu workshop: With VR into the future worlds of mobility

The DLR team cordially invites you to the workshop on 11 February 2026! Discover the mobility worlds of the future and experience at first hand the possibilities that immersive technologies such as VR can contribute to the planning and assessment of mobility concepts. The team will show you their VR lab, which is currently under construction, what they mean by immersive VR, what possible applications it offers and how you can use this lab for your questions and projects in the future.
The event is held in German.

Further information on the mozu workshop

Contact:

German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Institute of Transport Research
Institutional and Strategic Planning
Rudower Chaussee 7, 12489 Berlin
www.dlr.de/vf

DLR press release, 4 December 2025