Smart infrastructure and autonomous mobility in the spotlight of domestic research

Budapest, September 23, 2025 – Hungarian automotive and transport-technology developments are securing a strong international position for the country in the field of intelligent mobility research, while also helping to maintain the high standards of national engineering education. This message was emphasized at a joint press conference held by the Department of Automotive Technologies at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) and Magyar Közút Nonprofit Zrt.

Experts at the event presented a range of BME developments carried out within the soon-to-be-completed National Laboratory for Autonomous Systems project, several of which have already drawn significant international industrial and academic interest. Among the most remarkable is the digital system built on the shared section of the M1–M7 motorway in cooperation with Magyar Közút. This world-class development not only represents a breakthrough in intelligent infrastructure but also provides a unique testing environment for automotive innovators.

Bálint Nagy, State Secretary at the Ministry of Construction and Transport, stated:

“I consider this project a major milestone in Hungarian transport research. The long-standing cooperation between BME’s Department of Automotive Technologies and Magyar Közút has resulted in one of the most intelligent motorway sections in the world. Such initiatives benefit the national economy and strongly support the training and recruitment of future engineers. Thanks to high-level research and international collaboration of this kind, Hungary will host the Transport Research Arena 2026, one of Europe’s most significant R&D conferences.”

Dr. Charaf Hassan, Rector of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, highlighted the educational value of the project:

“Our students gain first-hand experience with cutting-edge infrastructure, learning the practical application of real-time data analysis, artificial intelligence, and autonomous vehicle technologies. This knowledge ensures that Hungary remains at the forefront of mobility innovation.”

Dr. Zsolt Szalay, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Automotive Technologies, outlined the department’s ongoing key research initiatives, ranging from next-generation windshield displays and advanced traffic-management systems to self-driving functions capable of maintaining control on low-friction surfaces, teleoperation methods, and the application of artificial intelligence across diverse mobility fields. He concluded:

“I am convinced that the future of safe and efficient transport will be defined by the cooperation of intelligent vehicles and intelligent infrastructure. The Budaörs motorway section is an important step toward making that interaction a reality, showing how we can prepare for the deployment of such systems in everyday traffic.”

József Attila Szilvai, CEO of Magyar Közút Nonprofit Zrt., also underscored the significance of the smart-motorway development:

“Together with BME, our teams have pioneered a practical foundation for digital road management. Thanks to the researchers involved, experts worldwide are now looking to Hungary, as this development benefits autonomous and connected transport alike—making roads safer and journeys more predictable for all.”

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The M1–M7 Smart Motorway Section

As part of the Eureka Central System project, and in collaboration with BME, Magyar Közút has installed 39 different sensors along an approximately 800-meter stretch of the Budaörs section of the M1–M7 motorway. These sensors continuously monitor traffic on both sides of the carriageway and transmit the resulting information to a supercomputer located at the company’s data center.

Researchers at BME’s Department of Automotive Technologies calibrated the installed instruments—radars, LIDAR units, thermal cameras, and optical cameras with various fields of view—and developed AI-based models that now generate a complete digital twin of the monitored road segment. In this real-time environment, every object and every vehicle on the motorway is represented with exceptional accuracy.

This digital twin can provide road users with information that individual vehicle sensors cannot capture due to limited range or line-of-sight constraints. It can also supply data to driver-assistance or autonomous driving systems for testing in a live yet virtually risk-free setting. As a result, the Budaörs smart-motorway section offers an unparalleled test environment for automotive developers while laying the groundwork for the next generation of intelligent traffic management and safer, more predictable travel.