BME Vehicle Safety Breakthrough Granted U.S. Patent

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Hungarian-developed technology gains U.S. patent protection for enabling vehicle control even during skidding

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted patent protection to a vehicle control technology developed by researchers at the Department of Automotive Technologies of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME). This internationally outstanding innovation is unique in its ability to maintain controlled vehicle maneuverability beyond the limits of tire adhesion, even while skidding, significantly reducing the risk of run-off-road accidents.

The development had previously been granted unitary patent protection in Europe; however, obtaining the U.S. patent marks another major milestone in the international recognition of the technology. The USPTO’s decision also signals that the Hungarian researchers’ solution is considered both novel and industrially relevant on a global scale.

Developed by the Vehicle Dynamics and Control Research Group operating within the BME Automated Drive Lab, the technology introduces a fundamentally new approach to vehicle safety. While conventional stability control systems – such as Electronic Stability Program (ESP) – primarily aim to restore traction, this new technology maintains vehicle controllability even in a skid condition. When necessary, the system can take over control from the driver and guide the vehicle back to a safe trajectory during a loss of traction, even by applying a controlled drift maneuver if required.

“A significant share of road accidents occurs because, in critical situations, the driver is no longer able to control the vehicle’s motion. Our objective was to maintain controllability close to, or even beyond, the physical limits of adhesion,” said Dr. Zsolt Szalay, Head of the Department of Automotive Technologies at BME. He added: “The U.S. patent not only validates the scientific value of this development but also demonstrates that world-class, industrially significant automotive research is taking place in Hungary.”

The technology may be particularly important for the vehicles of the future, as one of the key safety challenges for automated and autonomous systems is how they handle extreme traffic situations involving loss of traction. As such, the development could contribute not only to improved road safety but also open new opportunities in the advancement of next-generation vehicle control systems.

In recent years, the Department of Automotive Technologies at BME has participated in numerous internationally recognized research and industrial collaborations in the fields of automated vehicles, vehicle dynamics, functional safety, and future mobility systems. The newly granted U.S. patent is yet another example of how Hungarian engineering and scientific expertise can produce innovations that are competitive at the international level.

BME Automated Drive at TRA 2026 in Budapest – focusing on the digital twin and the M1–M7 smart road

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The Department of Automotive Technologies and BME Automated Drive Lab is participating as both exhibitor and speaker at the TRA 2026 conference in Budapest, with a strong focus on the M1–M7 smart motorway section and its real-time digital twin system. During the multi-day international event, our researchers present the latest results in connected and automated mobility through interactive VR demonstrations and several technical presentations.

Budapest hosts the Transport Research Arena (TRA 2026), one of Europe’s most important conferences in transport research and innovation, bringing together around 3,000 participants including researchers, industry experts, and decision-makers to discuss the future of mobility.

The BME Department of Automotive Technologies participates as a guest of the Hungarian Public Road Nonprofit Ltd. (Magyar Közút) at its exhibition stand, where the focus is on presenting the M1–M7 smart motorway section and the associated real-time digital twin system. An interactive VR-based demonstration is also available at the stand, providing visitors with an immersive experience of the developed system and its capabilities in representing real-world traffic environments.

Beyond the exhibition presence, the department is strongly represented in the technical programme, with researchers contributing to several thematic sessions throughout the conference. The presentations focus on testing connected and automated transport systems, sensor fusion and V2X-based risk assessment, next-generation traffic management concepts, and the role of real-time digital twins in enhancing transport safety and efficiency.

Together, these contributions highlight how real-time digital twin technology based on live traffic data is reshaping the development and validation of future transport systems, both in highway environments and in complex mixed-traffic scenarios.

The scientific contributions of the department are coordinated by Dr. Zsolt Szalay, Head of the Department of Automotive Technologies at BME, who also delivers several keynote and invited talks at the conference. Reflecting on the event, he noted:

“After our demonstrations and presentations, we received extensive feedback that digital twin technology is setting new foundations for transport systems. The real-time system we have developed not only enhances modelling accuracy, but also redefines how safety and efficiency in transportation can be understood.”

The participation of BME at TRA 2026 demonstrates the department’s growing international impact in the development of next-generation mobility systems, particularly in the fields of digital twins and connected infrastructure-based solutions.

The BME student team successfully participated in the ESV 2026 final in Toronto

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The student team of the Vehicle Safety and Cybersecurity Research Group (VSSRG), affiliated with the Department of Automotive Technologies at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) and operating within the BME Automated Drive Laboratory, participated as a European finalist in one of the world’s most prestigious vehicle safety forums. The team took part in the final round of the Student Safety Technology Design Competition (SSTDC), held within the framework of the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV) Conference in Toronto, Canada. In addition to competing in the student competition, the team also represented BME through a scientific presentation and as exhibitors at the conference expo.

The 28th Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV) Conference took place in Toronto between May 12–15, 2026, serving as one of the most important international forums in the field of vehicle safety. The event was jointly organized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the United States Department of Transportation and Transport Canada, bringing together leading experts, researchers, and industry stakeholders in vehicle safety, automated mobility, and transport innovation.

At the conference, the BME Automated Drive Vehicle Safety and Cybersecurity Research Group (VSSRG) student team represented the Department of Automotive Technologies as a European finalist in the final round of the 10th Student Safety Technology Design Competition.

The team reached the final with their project titled “When Cars Talk: V2X-Powered Risk Metrics to Improve Next-Generation Intersection Safety”, competing in the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) category.

The project focuses on reducing complex accident risks at road intersections, which are among the most critical hotspots in road safety. The concept is based on vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, enabling real-time cooperative risk assessment that complements traditional onboard sensor-based systems. This approach is particularly aimed at improving safety in dense urban traffic environments and scenarios with limited visibility.

Team members:

  • Abdulagha Dadashev
  • Roland Nagy
  • Tamás Márton Kazár
  • Zsombor Pethő, PhD (team leader and supervisor)

During the conference plenary session, the project was presented to an international audience by Roland Nagy.

Representing BME in multiple roles

The team’s participation in Toronto went beyond the student competition itself. In addition to competing in the final, they also contributed to the scientific program with a technical presentation and showcased their research activities as exhibitors at the conference expo.

This multi-role participation provided not only a competitive platform, but also direct networking opportunities with leading actors in vehicle safety and cybersecurity, as well as insight into the latest technological and research directions in the field.

A deliberately built student innovation ecosystem

Reaching the final was the result of an intensive development process spanning more than a year. Since early 2025, the student team has been working on developing their concept, achieving several key milestones on the path to international recognition.

Behind this success stands the innovation ecosystem built by the VSSRG research group and the Safety First! student competition organized at the department, which provides students with the opportunity to address real-world traffic safety challenges and develop internationally competitive solutions.

“We are particularly proud that our students were able to represent BME in such a high-level international field, where the future of vehicle safety is in focus. Reaching the final is already a significant professional achievement; however, the greatest value lies in the knowledge, experience, and international network the team gained throughout this journey,” said Zsombor Pethő.

The team’s preparation was continuously supported by Prof. Árpád Török, head of the research group.

The participation in Toronto clearly demonstrates that education and research at the Department of Automotive Technologies, BME, are closely aligned with the most pressing international challenges of the automotive industry, while providing students with real opportunities for professional growth and global exposure.