On March 17, 2026, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Center for Vertical Mobility (CVM) took place on Röttgens Weg in Aldenhoven, right next to the Aldenhoven Testing Center. This marks the official start of construction on a new research center that will drive the development of innovative technologies for vertical air mobility.

Numerous guests from the fields of academia, politics, and industry attended the event at the invitation of Prof. Dieter Moormann of the Centers for Vertical Mobility. Following opening remarks by the Rector of RWTH Aachen University, Prof. Dr. Ulrich Rüdiger, Minister Mona Neubaur (MWIKE) and Minister Oliver Krischer (MUNV) emphasized in their speeches the significance of the project for North Rhine-Westphalia as a hub for innovation and research.

A special moment of the event was the presentation of the funding approval, followed by the symbolic groundbreaking ceremony, which marked the start of construction. Afterward, guests were able to view exhibits and learn about current developments in the field of vertical mobility.

Later in the event, Prof. Lutz Eckstein (President of the VDI) and Prof. Heike Vallery (Institute of Automatic Control RWTH Aachen) provided insights into future mobility concepts in their keynote presentations. In addition, Eva König presented the Integral-TX research project, which is being implemented in collaboration with partners from industry and research, including CAE, Cologne/Bonn Airport, Vodafone, flyXdrive, DFS, MUNV, and RWTH Aachen University.

The construction of the Center for Vertical Mobility right next to the Aldenhoven Testing Center marks an important step for the research and development of future mobility in the region. With impetus from research and strong partners from business and infrastructure, another hub for innovation in (vertical) mobility is emerging here – right in our neighborhood.

We look forward to a good neighborly relationship and close collaboration with the new Center for Vertical Mobility. An important step for the mobility of the future and North Rhine-Westphalia as a hub for innovation!

You can watch the video from RWTH Aachen University on the right.

Feel free to read and watch additional reports on this topic here: RWTH, ika (german), Heise, AZ (german), WDR (german), BRF (german).

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