Safety First 2025 – The First Round is Complete!

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On March 21, the first round of the Safety First! competition successfully took place, where six teams presented their innovative solutions to current challenges in transportation and vehicle safety. The participants focused not only on identifying problems but also on proposing feasible solutions, highlighting applicable technological and methodological innovations.

However, the competition is far from over: the teams have until May 9 to further develop their concepts with the support of industry and academic mentors.

Projects presented in the first round:
🔹 secUred – Enhancing Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) communication security through elliptic curve authentication
🔹 Percepta – Perception-Aware Intelligent Transport System for the preemptive protection of vulnerable road users
🔹 CLARA – Chessboard Lane Risk Assessment: A predictive upgrade to LKA/ACC systems for proactive collision avoidance
🔹 Kokanyek – Mechanical failure detection from vibration data using neural networks
🔹 Fuzzers – Innovative solutions for fuzz testing vehicle control functions
🔹 G.A. Fusion – Enhancing highway safety through intelligent speed limit control and sensor fusion

We would like to thank our sponsors, Bosch and JLR, for making this competition possible, as well as our jury members – Péter Simányi (JLR), Réka Jenei (Bosch), Ádám Török (BME KJK), and Tamás Kazár (BME Automated Drive) – for their professional evaluation and support.

Congratulations to all participating teams, and best of luck in the next round! 🚀

#SafetyFirst #Innovation #TransportationSafety

BME and QTICS Automotive Sign Strategic Cooperation Agreement

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On March 14, the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) and QTICS Automotive Zrt. signed a framework cooperation agreement in a formal ceremony, laying the foundation for future joint developments and research.

BME was represented at the event by Dr. János Levendovszky, Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation, Miklós Verseghi-Nagy, Chancellor, Dr. Zsolt Szalay, Head of Department, Dr. Árpád Török, Head of Research Group, and Dr. Zsombor Pethő, Research Fellow.

The cooperation aims to foster joint work in the field of automotive testing and certification, focusing on the following key areas:

  • Vehicle certification and approval – developing new type approval and homologation procedures,
  • System testing and validation – improving testing methods for vehicle systems,
  • Safety and security risk analysis – examining issues related to automotive cybersecurity and functional safety,
  • Addressing digitalization challenges – conducting risk assessments for automotive software development,
  • Education and training – providing students with state-of-the-art testing methods and hands-on industrial experience.

Dr. Árpád Török, Head of the Safety Technology Research Group at BME’s Department of Automotive Technologies, commented on the collaboration:

“The partnership between BME and QTICS Automotive provides an exceptional opportunity to apply our research on automotive cybersecurity directly in practice. By integrating new testing procedures into industrial validation processes, the university can channel real-world experience and knowledge back into education, helping to prepare the next generation of professionals.”

Another significant agreement was also signed at the event: QTICS Automotive Zrt. and Anhui Pusi Standard Technology Co., a subsidiary of one of China’s leading automakers, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding. The goal of this agreement is to enable QTICS and Jáfi-AUTÓKUT Engineering Ltd. to jointly conduct the type approval of Chery Automobile vehicles in Hungary, in collaboration with the Transport Authority.

For BME’s Department of Automotive Technologies, this cooperation opens new perspectives in vehicle certification, safety testing, and cybersecurity research, further strengthening its scientific and industrial network.

Dr. István Emőd Turns 85 – Honoring Our Esteemed Colleague!

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The Department of Automotive Technologies at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics extends its warmest congratulations to Dr. István Emőd, our retired faculty member, on the occasion of his 85th birthday.

Dr. István Emőd’s name is synonymous with research on internal combustion engines and the teaching of automotive innovation at the university. He earned his mechanical engineering degree from BME in 1963 and later obtained his doctorate in engineering from the same institution. Over the course of more than four decades, he served the university as a teaching assistant, associate professor, deputy director, and institute director. He later took on the role of acting head of the Department of Automotive Technologies.

Throughout his career, he educated generations of engineers in the theoretical and practical aspects of internal combustion engines and the latest advancements in vehicle propulsion technologies. His dedication to his field and rigorous scientific approach serve as an enduring example for current and future engineers. His publications, textbooks, and conference presentations remain fundamental resources in the discipline.

Students have always greatly valued not only his technical expertise but also his integrity and dedication. He was known as a precise and well-prepared lecturer who always brought up-to-date knowledge to his classes. His teaching style was logical, clear, and practical, making even the most complex engineering topics understandable and engaging. Many recall him as a mentor who not only imparted knowledge but also instilled a passion for the field and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Dr. Emőd was not only an outstanding educator and researcher but also a person deeply committed to fostering dialogue and collaboration. Alongside his university work, he expanded his knowledge during international study visits and participated in numerous industry collaborations. He often spoke fondly of his time at the Technical Universities of Dresden and Vienna, where he had the opportunity to work with renowned professors and build both professional relationships and lasting friendships. Even in retirement, he continues to follow developments in the field and shares his invaluable experience with the next generation of engineers.

His unwavering professionalism and approachable demeanor make him unforgettable to all who have had the privilege of knowing him. He was always available to his students and colleagues, never hesitating to offer his time for both professional and personal discussions. Many remember him not just as an exceptional professor but as someone with whom one could always have an insightful and enjoyable conversation—whether about technical topics or life itself.

On this special occasion, we express our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. István Emőd for his invaluable contributions to the university, the department, and generations of students. We wish him good health and many more years of happiness and activity!

Hungarian universities’ joint research on self-driving car passengers’ psychophysiological responses published in Scientific Reports, a journal of the Nature Portfolio

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The Department of Automotive Technologies at Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME), in collaboration with researchers from the University of Szeged (SZTE) and experts from the Hungarian Research Network (HUN-REN), has published the results of their joint study in one of the world’s most prestigious scientific journals, Scientific Reports, published by Nature. The study, titled “Passenger physiology in self-driving vehicles during unexpected events“, comprehensively examines the physiological responses of passengers when faced with unforeseen situations—a crucial element for advancing the social acceptance of autonomous transportation.

Research Methodology and Key Findings

In this study, the researchers compared the reactions of passengers under unexpected events in both traditional, human-driven vehicles and self-driving vehicles. They conducted a series of measurements, including electroencephalography (EEG), eye-tracking, head movement analysis, and blinking frequency recordings under various driving conditions and unexpected road events.

Among the most significant findings was that passengers in self-driving mode exhibited lower affectivity values. This response is linked to a perceived lack of control over the vehicle’s movement. Additionally, multifractal analysis revealed that unexpected events—such as the sudden appearance of an obstacle—had a pronounced impact on both eye and head movement patterns in both driving modes, indicating an increased demand for visual information in critical situations.

An interesting observation was that, under normal driving conditions, passengers in the autonomous mode blinked less frequently, which may indicate heightened alertness due to the novelty of the technology. However, during unexpected events, the blinking frequency decreased further in both driving modes, suggesting a similar physiological response to perceived danger.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration Serving the Future of Transportation

This research, supported by the BME Department of Automotive Technologies, highlights the unique value of interdisciplinary cooperation by successfully bridging the gap between technical sciences and human-centered research areas. The collaboration brought together experts from different fields: from SZTE’s Cognitive and Neuropsychological Department, led by Dr. Zsolt Palatinus, and the SZTE Institute of Economics and Economic Development, headed by Miklós Lukovics and his team, to BME specialists including Dr. Zsolt Szalay—head of BME Automated Drive and the Department of Automotive Technologies—and former colleague and doctoral researcher Henrietta Lengyel. Their combined efforts enabled the integration of complex physiological measurements with advancements in automotive technology.

Dr. Zsolt Szalay, one of the authors of the publication, commented on the findings:

“For the widespread adoption of autonomous transportation, technological innovation alone is not sufficient. It is equally important to understand how people react to this new technology, especially during unexpected events. This research proves that the integration of technical and human sciences is indispensable for the successful development and social acceptance of future transportation systems.”

ZalaZONE: A Safe Environment for Pioneering Research

A key element in the success of this study was the safe research environment provided by the ZalaZONE test track. This facility enabled the creation of controlled yet realistic scenarios, ensuring that the experiments were reproducible and that the results were both reliable and scientifically valuable.

BME’s Commitment to Interdisciplinary Cooperation

The Department of Automotive Technologies at BME remains dedicated to fostering collaborations between universities, especially in the field of autonomous vehicles. The partnership with the University of Szeged is particularly special because it brings together completely different disciplines. Involving human-centered research areas in the study of autonomous vehicles deepens our understanding of the social and human aspects of technological development. Ultimately, the goal of technical and technological research is to serve humanity and society by enhancing the quality of life. The evolution of autonomous transportation not only requires technological innovation but also its social acceptance, and studies like this significantly contribute to that end.

The publication in Scientific Reports, published by Nature stands as a testament to the success of domestic research collaborations and reinforces Hungary’s position on the global map of autonomous vehicle technology development.