Michael Cusumano’s Visit to the Department of Automotive Technologies at BME

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At the end of September, Michael Cusumano, the renowned professor from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), visited the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME). After meeting with BME’s Rector, Dr. Charaf Hassan, in the company of Dr. András Nemeslaki, Vice Rector for International Affairs, and Dr. Zsolt Szalay, Head of the Department of Automotive Technologies, Cusumano visited our department, where he held discussions with Dr. Zsolt Szalay about fostering innovation and entrepreneurial thinking at the university. We consider this meeting at our department a particularly significant professional event.

Prof. Cusumano, who is the former Deputy Dean of the MIT Sloan School of Management, is a highly respected expert in innovation-driven entrepreneurial ecosystems. During the departmental meeting, his insights and advice contributed to enhancing the department’s ability to better support the economic application of domestic research and development results. Prof Cusumano also toured the laboratories of the Department of Automotive Technologies, where he praised the inspiring innovative environment he encountered.

Cusumano’s professional journey is rich and diverse. As a professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management and one of the faculty leaders of the MIT Regional Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program (REAP), he plays a globally recognized leading role in developing innovation-driven entrepreneurial ecosystems. Hungary is also part of this program with the Scale-Up Hungary team, supported by  BME professional team, including Dr. András Nemeslaki and Dr. Zsolt Szalay. Cusumano noted that BME, with its technological focus, is an ideal partner for collaboration that could yield significant long-term results for the Hungarian innovation ecosystem.

Following the departmental visit, Cusumano participated in a workshop organized by the HUN-REN research network, where he delivered a keynote speech on the challenges of entrepreneurship and the commercialization of technology. The professor emphasized that Hungary, particularly the Budapest region, offers an excellent foundation for innovation; however, further strengthening of cooperation between universities, researchers, and businesses is necessary. According to Cusumano, the goal of the REAP program is precisely to increase the region’s competitiveness by leveraging the experiences of local teams.

Prof. Cusumano’s visit marked an important milestone for the Department of Automotive Technologies, as we had the privilege of receiving support from an authority who has been an active player in the global innovation arena for decades. The knowledge and experience accumulated at MIT can now be utilized at BME to turn Hungarian research results into economic value.

Professor Cusumano’s visit was covered by both bme.hu and Világgazdaság.

Jürgen Steinberger’s Lecture Series at BME: A Unique Opportunity to Explore Synergies Between Engineering and Business

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This autumn, the joint lecture series of Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) and Knorr-Bremse AG has once again started, offering students an exceptional opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge about the latest developments and disruptive transformation of the commercial vehicle industry. The course is taught by Dr. Jürgen Steinberger, former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Knorr-Bremse Commercial Vehicle Systems.

The title of the course is “Synergy of Engineering and Business: The Disruptive Transformation of the Truck Industry as a Case Study 2” (BMEKOKKBsM8002-00), and it can be taken without completing the similarly titled course from the previous semester.

This lecture series offers a unique opportunity not only for the students enrolled in the course but also for anyone interested in the intersection of engineering and business. As Zsolt SZALAY, PhD, Head of the Automotive Technologies Department at BME, emphasized: “I am proud to support the continued collaboration between Knorr-Bremse and BME. This lecture series provides cutting-edge insights into the commercial vehicle industry through real-world case studies.”

Steinberger’s lectures cover not only engineering knowledge but also the business decisions behind it. “It is important for engineers to understand not just the technical solutions but also why certain business decisions are made. This enhances their commitment to the work they do,” explained the lecturer.

It is rare to hear such an authentic and well-founded lecture from a high-level manager. We encourage everyone, not just those enrolled in the subject, to attend these valuable sessions as they offer a unique chance to learn about real-world industry experiences and the synergies between engineering and business.

Senior Executive of Thyssenkrupp to Give a Lecture at BME

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Kristof Polmans, Senior Vice President of Research and Advanced Engineering at Thyssenkrupp Steering, will visit Budapest University of Technology and Economics at the invitation of the Department of Automotive Technologies to deliver a lecture on the company’s innovation journey.

With more than 25 years of experience in the automotive industry, Polmans began his career at Ford Motor Company and has spent nearly two decades at Thyssenkrupp, leading projects focused on advanced technologies and innovations.

The lecture will highlight how Thyssenkrupp Steering transitioned from being a “slow follower” to becoming an innovation leader in the industry. Polmans will provide insights into major projects such as Steer by Wire, Brake by Wire systems, and Vehicle Motion Control, which have significantly shaped the company’s path. He will also address the challenges of innovation and what it takes to foster a successful and sustainable innovation culture within a company.

The event is part of the ongoing collaboration between the department’s research community and their industry partners, aimed at strengthening ties between academia and the industrial sector.

The event was made possible with the support of Ádám Bárdos, Head of the Vehicle Dynamics and Control Research Group, whose contribution to organizing the lecture is greatly appreciated.

Lecture details:

  • Date: Wednesday, October 9, 2024
  • Time: 10:00–12:00
  • Location: ST Building, Room 321/A
  • Registration HERE

All interested participants are welcome, and registration is required for attendance.

BME Automated Drive Lab at the 30th ITS World Congress in Dubai!

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BME Automated Drive Lab, part of the Department of Automotive Technologies at BME, is proudly representing Hungary at the 30th ITS World Congress, held from 16-20 September 2024 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The ITS World Congress is the world’s largest event focused on intelligent transport systems and the digitalisation of transportation, providing a premier platform for showcasing the latest innovations in sustainable, safe, and efficient mobility solutions.

We are excited to present our M1M7 Digital Twin Model at the ITS Hungary booth, hosted by Hungarian Public Roads. Our interactive demonstration is showcasing the capabilities of our Digital Twin technology, highlighting additional applications that can significantly enhance the development of transport infrastructure.

Mihály Csonthó from the BME Automated Drive Lab is representing us at the event, bringing his expertise and passion to ensure the successful presentation of our latest innovations.

We are proud to be part of this prestigious international event and look forward to forging new professional connections while advancing the industrial application of our transportation system innovations.

The research related to demonstration presented was funded by the European Union under the National Laboratory for Autonomous Systems (RRF-2.3.1-21-2022-00002)

The Department of Automotive Technologies at CIFIT 2024 – Hungary as Guest of Honor

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BME Department of Automotive Technologies is pleased to announce its participation in the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) 2024, which is be held from September 8-11 in Xiamen, China. This year’s event is particularly special for us as Hungary will be featured as the Guest of Honor, in celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

As a prominent representative of the Hungarian pavilion, our department was invited to showcase our latest research results, helping to highlight Hungary’s innovative presence on the global stage. We are proud to present our Intelligent Pedestrian Crossing solution, which is based on a real-time digital twin framework. This cutting-edge technology brings the future of transportation to life for visitors through an immersive AR experience. Our exhibit can be found at booth C312.

In collaboration with DriveByCloud Kft., a university spinoff company founded by our colleagues, we are demonstrating the synergy between academic research and industrial application. This partnership exemplifies the successful translation of research outcomes into real-world solutions with commercial potential.

Innovation and Research on the International Stage

For our department, CIFIT 2024 is not only an opportunity to showcase technological advancements but also a chance to deepen research collaborations and build new relationships within the international professional community.

Dr. Zsolt Szalay, Head of the Department of Automotive Technologies, commented on the event:
“CIFIT 2024 is an excellent platform for us to not only demonstrate our intelligent transportation solutions but also to establish new international partnerships that can help drive the technologies of the future. Innovations like the intelligent pedestrian crossing contribute to solving global transportation challenges and open up new avenues for research collaboration.”

By participating in this event, we aim to gather valuable feedback from industry leaders and further refine our solutions to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

The research related to demonstration presented was funded by the European Union under the National Laboratory for Autonomous Systems (RRF-2.3.1-21-2022-00002)