Germany-based, Kopernikus Automotive (Kopernikus) is developing an “Automated Valet Parking” (AVT Type 2) (through “infrastructure orchestrated maneuvering technologies”) for logistics centers & car parks (i.e. “no one’s behind the wheel”). In a nutshell, the startup installs fixed sensors on location & AI (perception & path planning performed externally) to safely steer (driving commands sent wirelessly in real-time by a computer or agent) the vehicle to the parking space. The startup has already piloted (& recently converted to a contract) its solution with Volkswagen (in partnership with the latter’s Cariad software group) at their Wolfsburg plant, as well as two pilot projects across two Ford car plants in Europe. Moreover, client & investor Continental has started...

Germany-based Ineratec designs & operates chemical plants for power-to-X & gas-to-liquid applications. The firm uses hydrogen (from renewable electricity) & CO2 to produce e-kerosene, CO2-neutral gasoline, diesel, synthetic waxes, methanol & SNG. Its chemical reactors provide high load flexibility as well as quick start-up & shut-down times, "making a modular numbering approach possible". Founded in 2016 by Tim Böltken (CEO), Philipp Engelkamp (COO), Dr Paolo Piermartini (Head of Plant Operations) & Dr Peter Pfeifer (Advisor), Ineratec in 2021 opened a pilot plant in the Emsland region (Lower-Saxony). With the recent funding, the company plans a new industrial plant close to the Frankfurt airport, said to be operational by 2023 with annual production up to 4.6m...