For many innovation projects, the real test begins when solutions move beyond the development phase and are deployed in real-life conditions. For the I3-funded IN-MOB project, this moment arrived on 29 May 2026 with the launch of its Palermo pilot at the University of Palermo.
Developing the next generation of micromobility solutions
IN-MOB (INnovative products for sustainable MicromOBility) aims to accelerate the adoption of cleaner and more efficient urban transport solutions through the development and deployment of innovative micromobility vehicles and supporting infrastructure. Bringing together partners from Italy and Portugal, the project seeks to strengthen interregional value chains while supporting the transition towards more sustainable urban mobility systems.
From concept to real-world deployment
The Palermo pilot marks one of the project's first tangible achievements. Launched at the University of Palermo, the demonstration involves a fleet of 40 innovative vehicles, including 15 e-bikes, 15 e-scooters and 10 cargo bikes. The pilot will allow the project consortium to test the solutions in a real urban environment and collect valuable feedback from users.
Video by Fondazione Marida Correnti
Technology designed for everyday use
What distinguishes the vehicles is the technology behind them. Built with lightweight carbon-fibre frames and equipped with advanced electric propulsion systems, they have been designed to improve efficiency, durability and user experience. The vehicles also feature a rapid battery-swap system that allows batteries to be replaced instantly, eliminating the downtime associated with conventional charging and making the solutions more suitable for intensive daily use.
The pilot extends beyond the vehicles themselves. A dedicated charging infrastructure has been deployed on campus, including a photovoltaic-powered charging hub and an integrated monitoring system capable of tracking vehicle usage, mobility patterns and operational performance. This will provide valuable data to assess both the technical viability and the market potential of the solutions.
Particular attention will be given to the potential of cargo bikes for urban logistics and last-mile delivery services, while e-bikes and e-scooters have been made available to selected users from the university community. Students and staff were recruited through an open call and can use the vehicles free of charge in exchange for providing structured feedback through dedicated questionnaires. Local businesses are also involved in the testing phase; among them, a supermarket chain is using the e-cargo bikes to experiment with grocery home-delivery services, providing a practical test case for sustainable urban logistics.
Photo by Fondazione Marida Correnti
By moving from development to real-life testing, the pilot represents an important step towards validating the technologies and preparing them for wider deployment. The project will assess vehicle performance, user acceptance and operational feasibility, while also collecting evidence on the potential reduction of CO₂ emissions compared with more conventional transport solutions.
Photo by Fondazione Marida Correnti
Generating visibility beyond the consortium
Beyond the technological demonstration itself, the pilot has already achieved another important objective: engaging local stakeholders and raising awareness of sustainable mobility solutions. The launch attracted significant attention from regional media and was covered by several Italian news outlets, including PalermoToday and BlogSicilia. This visibility helps bring the project's objectives closer to citizens, businesses and public authorities while showcasing the role of European cooperation in supporting innovation on the ground.
Looking ahead
The Palermo pilot is one of two demonstration sites within IN-MOB, alongside Funchal in Portugal. Together, these pilot activities will help the consortium assess the market potential and practical applicability of the solutions developed by the project. While IN-MOB is still ongoing, the successful launch of the Palermo pilot already illustrates how I3-funded projects are translating innovation into concrete actions and bringing new technologies closer to users, cities and businesses.
