Accelerating the digitalization of mobility requires boosting research and the deployment of key enabling technologies. ToolRides makes this possible. Numerous innovative research and innovation projects have been developed and tested to create new solutions for transportation services. In fact, many more long-term, low-budget funding programs are expected in the future.
Digital technologies have the potential to revolutionize the way we move, making our mobility smarter, more efficient, and also greener.
Connected and Automated Mobility
To enable the adoption of automated vehicles, a legal framework for their approval is necessary. Cooperative intelligent transportation systems (C-ITS), which allow for information exchange between and between vehicles, as well as with road infrastructure, are crucial for the deployment of CAM. This is expected to improve road safety, traffic efficiency, and comfort.
Autopilot
Between 2017 and 2020, an autopilot project was developed, focusing on testing the use of IoT devices for automated driving under real-world conditions. This type of Artificial Intelligence paves the way for innovative commercial services associated with autonomous vehicles. With significant investment, the project has highlighted the importance of digital technologies in enhancing the capabilities of autonomous vehicles to better understand their surroundings. This has complemented IoT sensors. The use of IoT can improve safety by detecting obstacles beyond the vehicle's line of sight.
5G Connectivity
5G is a crucial enabler for automated vehicles and digitized trains. To prepare for the deployment of 5G corridors, ambitious cross-border corridor pilot projects are underway with CAM use cases for various transport services in several locations.
By 2025, the EU aims to have uninterrupted 5G coverage along major transport routes across Europe. It will financially support this goal under the Connecting Europe Facility and the Resilience and Recovery Facility, focusing on cross-border corridors (CEF) and national sections (RRF and CEF). Combined with private investment and other sources of public funding, these initiatives will contribute to achieving full 5G coverage by 2030, enabling safe and connected travel worldwide.
A map of cross-border 5G corridors for connected and automated mobility worldwide. The aim is to leverage the latest 5G advancements to help the automotive sector deliver safer, greener, and smarter transportation services, ultimately enabling driverless cars. Key innovations focus on developing an autonomously managed hybrid network that combines direct vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications.
Artificial automotive intelligence
It is important to highlight that Artificial Intelligence has countless applications for transportation: from automated vehicles, optimization of charging and battery use for electric vehicles, improvement of routes for passengers and freight transport, support for the planning of transport infrastructure and services, as well as the deployment of charging stations.
In April 2021, high-risk AI systems were identified and the requirements they must meet were established. This includes systems that perform safety functions in various mobility areas, including automobiles, civil aviation, and marine equipment. Specific requirements for these areas will be added.
Several research and innovation projects applying AI in the field of transport have been and will be supported by EU funding. Test and Experimentation Facilities (TEFs) will enable research into new AI-driven solutions in near-real-life environments. In this context, TEFs for smart communities could benefit mobility-related solutions.
Self-driving vehicle
This can be a tool for developing advanced electronic architectures, systems, and components that detect faults, are fail-safe, and operational for fully automated driving. It helps make future mobility safer, more efficient, affordable, and acceptable to end users. Deliverables include fully assembled vehicle prototypes, an automated bus, improved road scanning, new active safety features, and contributions to the standardization and certification of automated driving systems.
Cybersecurity
The increasing reliance on digital infrastructure and mobility services underscores the importance of cybersecurity. Accelerating the adoption of digital technologies for mobility and transport companies, especially smaller ones, contributes to the success of their digital transformation, even though it can be a real challenge.
This will provide access to technical expertise and experimentation, the opportunity to "try before you buy" into an innovative transportation service. As transportation and mobility undergo significant changes, primarily due to technological transformation and access to data, there is a need to retrain and upskill the workforce.
