Mobility Data Space

The data marketplace for the mobility sector

The Mobility Data Space (MDS) is a data marketplace where equal partners from the mobility sector can exchange data. The data provider remains the owner of the data at all times and can autonomously decide whether and with which participant to enter into data exchange. The goal is to create a cross-company data economy in order to realize and further develop innovative, environmentally and user-friendly mobility concepts. In doing so, the MDS brings together companies, organizations and institutions: those that want to monetize their data treasures and those that need data for innovative mobility solutions, but in many cases also to create a win-win situation for mutual benefit through a targeted exchange. For this purpose, the MDS creates the framework for a trusting cooperation.


Foundation and mission

With the objective of making mobility safer, more efficient and more environmentally friendly, the MDS is funded by the Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport (BMDV) and is therefore a neutral and trustworthy partner to pave the way for a networked and secure data infrastructure in Europe that complies with European values such as data protection, data sovereignty and interoperability.

The responsible body of the Mobility Data Space is the non-profit organization DRM Datenraum Mobilität GmbH, which emerged from a project by the acatech Foundation.


Operation and data protection

The MDS is based on a dataprotection-friendly approach that aims to facilitate data exchange between partners without the MDS or any third party storing or analyzing the data. Only the data description (metadata) is made available to all participants. Data is transferred directly between partners via the EDC connector, which means that data sovereignty remains with the partners involved. Decentralized data storage is made possible in this way. In addition, the MDS now offers Connector-as-a-Service (CaaS), a browser-based service from MDS partners that participants can use on demand. By the end of 2023, the MDS will be fully linked to the Mobilithek, the platform for exchanging digital information, primarily from the public sector.

MDS Offer

Data exchange, expertise and support:
this is how members benefit

Offer and purchase data

The Mobility Data Space connects people who offer mobility data with people who need it to develop and run new business models – simply, transparently, securely and with full added value for both sides. Providers maintain full data sovereignty at all times, meaning they decide who can use their data and for what purpose. 

Access to service providers

The Mobility Data Space offers access to a broad network of service providers called the MDS Trusted Partners. They support members at every step of the process, be it onboarding, identity management or business development. 

Exchange with industry experts

The MDS brings together experts from start-ups, SMEs, public transport, municipalities, politics and science. Members benefit from numerous exclusive events for exchange and information.

Navigation app in a car - text module in round tile: The data sharing community for mobility pioneersNavigation app in a car - text module in round tile: The data sharing community for mobility pioneers
ICE in an underground station with passersby - text module in round tile: We enable sustainable mobility solutionsICE in an underground station with passersby - text module in round tile: We enable sustainable mobility solutions
Woman sitting in control room in a video studio - text module in round tile: An ecosystem of mobility and data expertsWoman sitting in control room in a video studio - text module in round tile: An ecosystem of mobility and data experts
Two people talking in a video studio - text module in round tile: Success through cooperation: fair, equal, safeTwo people talking in a video studio - text module in round tile: Success through cooperation: fair, equal, safe
White bus driving on an open road through green landscape - text module in round tile: easy access and transparent rulesWhite bus driving on an open road through green landscape - text module in round tile: easy access and transparent rules
Navigation system in a car - text module in round tile: Easy access and transparent rulesNavigation system in a car - text module in round tile: Easy access and transparent rules
Woman with cell phone in hand at a bikesharing station - text module in round tile: data room for tomorrow's mobilityWoman with cell phone in hand at a bikesharing station - text module in round tile: data room for tomorrow's mobility

Path to the MDS

Simple, transparent and compatible:
this is how access to the Mobility Data Space works

Become a member

Contact us, sign our member contract and you are already part of our community - with no obligations!


Become a member

Get connected

Set up the IT interface to provide the foundation for data delivery and consumption. Configuration of the connector is easily documented on GitHub. Our technical team and trusted partners are here to help!

Exchange data

Add your data offering to our catalogue or search for the data you need.

Network within our community

Network in our working groups and take part in exciting events.

Become a member

Contact us, sign our member contract and you are already part of our community – with no obligations!


Become a member

Get connected

Set up the IT interface to provide the foundation for data delivery and consumption. Configuration of the connector is easily documented on GitHub. Our technical team and trusted partners are here to help!

Exchange data

Add your data offering to our catalogue or search for the data you need.

Network within our community

Network in our working groups and take part in exciting events.

MDS Fact Sheet

Company purpose

  • The Mobility Data Space is a virtual marketplace for the exchange of mobility data (B2B and B2G).
  • For this purpose, the MDS provides a data catalogue for searching data offers and an infrastructure for decentralised data exchange.
  • Providers and purchasers decide for themselves at any time who can acquire their data, for what purpose and at what price.


Governance
  
The Mobility Data Space is supported by Datenraum Mobilität GmbH, a non-profit company funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV).


Shareholders
  
acatech Foundation ● BMW ● Federal States Bayern, Baden-Württemberg and NRW ● Caruso ● Deutsche Bahn ● DHL Group ● HERE ● HUK Coburg ● Mercedes-Benz ● VDV eTicket GmbH ● Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft


Members

Approx. 126 (as of end of August 2023); in addition to shareholders, among others.

  • Mobility service providers (e.g. Bolt, FreeNow, ADAC)
  • Authorities/government-related companies (e.g. DWD, Autobahn GmbH)
  • Communities (e.g. Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg)
  • Public transportation companies (e.g., Hamburger Hochbahn)
  • Mobile network providers (e.g. Vodafone)
  • Energy sector (e.g. e.on, TenneT)
  • Research institutions (e.g. Fraunhofer, KIT)
     

Mode of operation

  • In the MDS data catalog, participants offer data or search for the data sets they need.
  • The data remains with the provider. The MDS does not host any data. Data exchange is peer-to-peer, without the raw data reaching the MDS. 
  • Placing a data offer in the catalog does not bind the providers. They decide in each individual case whether to sell the data to the interested party.
  • All participants in the MDS network install a connector through which the data transfer takes place. This reduces transaction costs in business cases with multiple participants or business relationships with multiple participants.
  • All participants are authenticated using a secure procedure.
  • The MDS provides sample clauses to simplify contract negotiations. Automated payment processing is also envisaged in the future.
  • The MDS uses the EDC connector (industry standard) and additionally offers the CaaS - Connector-as-a-Service.
  • The MDS supports the participants in the search for partners or in the development of business cases.
     

Click here to download the Mobility Data Space – Fact Sheet.