GEM MOTORS PARTNERS IN EU-FUNDED IN-MOB PROJECT FOR EVOLUTION OF URBAN MICRO-MOBILITY
21th July, 2025
GEM Motors has partnered in the European Union-funded IN-MOB (Innovative Products for Sustainable Micro-Mobility) project, a three-year initiative supported through the Interregional Innovation Investments Instrument (I3) with a total funding of €2,950,700. The project brings together key European companies and institutions to design, develop and test new generations of micro-vehicles, including e-bikes, cargo bikes, and e-scooters. Its overarching goal is to advance cleaner, smarter, and more connected transport solutions for European cities.
European partnership driving innovation
The IN-MOB project is implemented by a multidisciplinary European consortium that brings together academic excellence, industrial innovation, and public sector engagement. The partnership includes the University of Catania (Italy) as the project coordinator, along with the University of Florence (Italy), F&N Compositi (Italy), Project Vending (Italy), GEM Motors (Slovenia), Uneed.IT (Italy), Paseuconsulting (Belgium), the University of Palermo (Italy), Fondazione Marida Correnti (Italy), Esco srl (Italy), and the Camara Municipal do Funchal (Portugal).
This diverse consortium merges expertise in sustainable mobility, composite materials, ICT, energy systems, and urban development. Together, the partners are shaping innovative, practical, and scalable solutions to advance clean and connected mobility across Europe.
Evolution of electric propulsion
As a core partner for propulsion technologies, GEM Motors is contributing its latest generation of compact in-wheel electric drives. These systems are built on cutting-edge low-power architectures, incorporating Halbach magnet arrays to reduce weight while maintaining torque density. In a bid to further streamline vehicle design and lower costs, GEM Motors is embedding the motor controller directly into the wheel hub, eliminating excess cabling and complexity.
Designed with modularity at their core, these drive systems are being developed to support a broad range of future vehicles. From lightweight delivery bikes and cargo bikes, e-scooters, autonomous small robots to micro vehicles, the GEM platform is engineered for adaptability in evolving mobility markets.
In line with emerging trends in mobility
IN-MOB addresses several key trends converging across the mobility landscape. The rise of electrified last-mile delivery services demands clean, quiet vehicles that can operate efficiently in dense urban centers. The rapid adoption of micro-mobility solutions like e-scooters, e-bikes, cargo bikes and other micro vehicles is driving the need for compact, efficient drive systems. Meanwhile, autonomous robots are starting to take on urban logistics and municipal tasks, while agriculture and industry are seeking robust electric alternatives to traditional machinery. With its patented in-wheel technology, GEM Motors is positioned to meet these varied demands with solutions that prioritize efficiency, manoeuvrability, and durability.
First testing will be done Portugal and Italy
The IN-MOB project is not confined to the lab. Field pilots are planned in Portugal and Italy. In Madeira, Portugal, tourists will be participating in a pilot e-scooter, e-bike and cargo bike sharing program, designed to operate within the current regulatory framework. Meanwhile, in Palermo, Italy, e-scooters, e-bikes and cargo bikes will be tested in combination with public transport and urban delivery services. These testbeds will be helping to validate technical solutions in real urban environments.
Looking toward commercial impact
GEM Motors anticipates commercial deployment of its IN-MOB-developed technology within two years of the project’s conclusion. Discussions with European vehicle manufacturers and platform developers are already underway, signaling strong market interest. The company’s broader mission, to make electric mobility more accessible, efficient, and scalable, aligns perfectly with the project’s goals.