Industry Focus and Confident Presentations – January State Examination at the Department of Automotive Technologies

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On 6 January, the Department of Automotive Technologies at Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) held its first state examination session of the year. As in previous semesters, the final examinations were conducted with the active involvement of industry professionals: representatives of Morgan Hungary Ltd., TÜV Rheinland, and Jaguar Land Rover Hungary participated in the examination board. Based on their feedback, the students demonstrated clear progress not only in technical competence, but also in presentation skills and engineering mindset.

More confident presentations and tangible engineering outcomes

One of the most frequently highlighted aspects of the examinations was the noticeable improvement in the students’ presentation skills. János Surányi, representing Morgan Hungary Ltd., emphasized that the graduating students delivered convincing performances both professionally and communicatively.

“It is very positive to see how much more confident the students are when presenting their work. This has often been a missing skill among young engineers, and in industry it quickly becomes clear how critical strong presentation abilities are,” he noted. He also stressed the importance of thesis projects that go beyond theory and result in real, implemented solutions.

From the company’s perspective, topics related to manufacturing, process development, and the design or development of production equipment were of particular interest, as these areas closely align with Morgan Hungary’s core activities.

A higher number of outstanding projects

Sándor Geszti (TÜV Rheinland Hungary), a regular member of the department’s examination boards, also observed a clear step forward compared to previous years.

“There are always good and very good theses, but this time the number of truly outstanding projects was noticeably higher. The students presented concise summaries of their work with a level of confidence that surpasses what we have seen in recent years,” he explained.

In his view, this improvement is partly due to the teaching staff placing increasing emphasis on the importance of structured, audience-oriented presentations. Examination board members must form well-founded opinions within limited timeframes, often on complex technical topics.

“The goal is not to get lost in details. Students need to clearly demonstrate why their work is relevant and valuable,” he added.

Among his personal highlights were projects related to the university’s Formula Student racing teams, where participants design, model, test, and continuously refine vehicle components to improve overall competitiveness.

High-quality work even at BSc level

Representing Jaguar Land Rover Hungary, József Pázmány, head of one of the company’s systems engineering areas, participated in the department’s state examination for the second time. His overall impression was strongly positive.

“We met very well-prepared young engineers. It is clear that everyone invested significant effort into their thesis, resulting in serious, independent engineering work,” he said.

He was particularly impressed by the high quality of the projects at BSc level, noting that the depth and structure of many theses exceeded expectations. As advice to students, he emphasized the importance of understanding the broader context of their work.

“When working on a project lasting several months, it is essential to know where you are starting from and how your piece fits into the bigger picture. Details matter, but so does the overall system you are contributing to,” he explained.

Several students also caught Jaguar Land Rover Hungary’s attention during the examinations. The company offers career opportunities through internship positions and subsequent graduate engineer programmes, providing a pathway toward long-term professional development, including international experience.

Real-world assessment by industry professionals

Reflecting on the role of state examinations, Dr. Zsolt Szalay, Head of the Department of Automotive Technologies and Chair of the Examination Board, highlighted the strategic importance of industry involvement.

“From both a departmental and university perspective, it is crucial that the first real assessment of our graduates takes place in front of industry professionals. These are the environments where our students will soon need to perform as engineers,” he emphasized.

Accordingly, the examination board is composed exclusively of relevant industry representatives from various fields. The department’s role is primarily to moderate the process, while questioning, evaluation, and grading are driven by external experts.

“It is important that the university does not evaluate its own output in isolation. Instead, our students receive feedback and assessment based on real industrial expectations,” he added.

A meeting point between academia and industry

The January 6 state examination once again demonstrated that final examinations at the Department of Automotive Technologies represent far more than an academic milestone. They serve as a genuine interface between academia and industry, offering students a first professional showcase and, in many cases, the opening step toward their engineering careers.

In memoriam dr. Antal Lovas (1938–2026)

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It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Dr. Antal Lovas, Professor Emeritus of our Department, who died in the early hours of 6 January 2026 after a long illness borne with great patience and dignity. With his death, the Department of Automotive Technologies has lost not only an outstanding scientist and educator, but also a defining personality whose professional and human legacy shaped generations of colleagues and students.

Dr. Lovas was born on 14 August 1938 in Cegléd, Hungary. He graduated as a chemist in 1967 from Eötvös Loránd University and subsequently spent nearly three decades at the Research Institute for Solid State Physics of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, where he worked as a research fellow, senior scientist, and group leader. His scientific career was closely associated with the research of non-equilibrium metallic materials, alloy development, and rapid solidification technologies. He played a pioneering role in introducing melt spinning and planar flow casting in Hungary, an achievement that was recognized with the Jánossy Prize in 1979. His research activities resulted in the preparation of several thousand samples and in an extensive body of publications that laid the foundation for numerous PhD and doctoral theses in Hungary and across Central Europe.

From 1993 onwards, Dr. Lovas was closely connected to the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, where he contributed continuously to engineering education, first as a lecturer and later as an associate professor. At the Department of Automotive Technologies, he remained an active and committed member of the academic community until his emeritus years and beyond. His teaching focused primarily on materials science and structural materials, always combining solid theoretical foundations with a strong sense of practical relevance. As a supervisor, he guided eleven doctoral students to successful completion and supported many diploma theses and student research projects, consistently emphasizing that scientific excellence must be accompanied by personal attention, responsibility, and trust.

His professional standing was reinforced by an extensive international network. He maintained close cooperation with several institutions, including the Slovak Academy of Sciences and the Technical University of Košice, and served on international advisory and scientific committees for many years. As an invited lecturer, he regularly participated in international workshops and conferences. Importantly, he actively involved students and young researchers in these international collaborations, opening doors for them and helping them gain confidence and visibility in the global scientific community.

Beyond his impressive academic achievements, Dr. Lovas will be remembered above all for his personality. For younger colleagues and students, he was simply “Tóni bácsi” — a mentor who understood the art of scientific leadership exceptionally well. He created a friendly, supportive atmosphere around himself, where humour, mutual teasing, and shared laughter naturally coexisted with high professional standards and intellectual rigor. He knew when to guide, when to challenge, and when to step back and allow young researchers to find their own path.

Dr. Antal Lovas’s life and work became an integral part of the identity of our Department. His legacy lives on not only in his publications and former students, but also in the human and intellectual community he helped build over more than three decades. His absence is deeply felt, yet his example will continue to inspire us.

We remember him with profound respect and gratitude.

International Research Experience: BME PhD Students at the KIT UpGrade Mobility Winter School 2025

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Two PhD students from the Department of Automotive Technologies at BME, Abdulagha Dadashev and Szilárd Hunor Tóth, participated in a one-week international research mobility program at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) as part of the UpGrade Mobility Winter School 2025. The workshop focused on the theme of “Future Commercial Vehicle”, providing a high-level international environment to explore the latest developments in cooperative automated mobility, autonomous commercial vehicles, and future road freight transport.

During the program, held between 1–5 December, our students presented their own research topics:
– Abdulagha Dadashev introduced his work on cooperative V2X communication strategies.
– Szilárd Hunor Tóth gave a talk on motion planning and control for autonomous vehicles operating at the limits of handling, presenting recent progress in reinforcement learning–based approaches.

The Winter School offered numerous opportunities to engage with PhD students from across Europe and with KIT researchers. The participants also joined industrial visits, including tours at Daimler Truck and Rosenbauer. Throughout the week, several promising directions for future collaboration emerged, such as:
– exploring edge-computing solutions to support safety-critical V2X tasks,
– advancing research in cooperative automated driving,
– analysing tire characteristics for autonomous driving at the limits of handling.

The program concluded with an in-depth discussion on the current state and future of autonomous commercial vehicles led by Prof. Eric Sax. On the final day, the organisers also offered a guided tour of Karlsruhe, showcasing the city’s history and cultural heritage.

For our participants, the Winter School provided an excellent professional experience, fresh research inspiration, and valuable international connections—further strengthening our department’s presence in the global community of cooperative intelligent mobility research.

International Testing and Validation Organization Visited the Department of Automotive Technologies at BME

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A delegation from a renowned international testing and validation organization in Wuhu City (Anhui Province) visited the Safety Technology Research Group of the Department of Automotive Technologies at BME, facilitated by QTICS Automotive.

The guests represented Anhui Pusi Standard Technology Co., Ltd and Chery Automobile Co., key players in research supporting standardization, as well as in technical services and consulting — operating as a truly global center of expertise.

During the meeting, we presented the activities of our research group along with our latest developments in the fields of certification and testing. The delegation gave highly positive feedback on the results showcased and expressed a formal intention to collaborate.

It is a particular honor that our partners are also interested in bringing their vehicle manufacturing expertise into the joint developments. This opportunity opens significant new avenues toward internationally competitive research, development, and innovation.

Global Recognition for BME Researcher – Dr. Árpád Török Invited to the EU–US Frontiers of Engineering Symposium

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Dr. Árpád Török, Senior Research Fellow at the Department of Automotive Technologies of BME and Head of the Vehicle Safety Research Group, was selected among 60 outstanding engineers from Europe and the United States to participate in the prestigious EU–US Frontiers of Engineering Symposium held in Bordeaux, France.

The renowned event was jointly organized by the European Council of Academies of Applied Sciences, Technologies and Engineering (Euro-CASE), the National Academy of Technologies of France, and the US National Academy of Engineering, with support from The Grainger Foundation.

The Frontiers of Engineering program brings together some of the most promising mid-career engineers from Europe and the United States to exchange insights on cutting-edge technological and scientific developments and to foster international, interdisciplinary collaboration.

This year’s symposium focused on four key themes: Crypto Systems and the New Age of Distributed Consensus, Future Wireless Communications, Circular Economy of Polymers, and the Internet of Medical/Bio Things.

Dr. Török’s participation represents not only a significant personal achievement but also highlights the international presence and recognition of the Department of Automotive Technologies and its Vehicle Safety Research Group at BME.

Hungarian Innovation Could Elevate Autonomous Vehicle Safety to a New Level

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The Vehicle Safety Research Group at the Department of Automotive Technologies, Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME), presented today its unique technological development that promises to raise the safety of automated mobility to a new level. The aim of the project is to enable vehicles to detect hazardous situations—such as an approaching vehicle at a blind intersection—even when conventional environmental sensors like cameras or radars fail to perceive them. The internationally distinctive technology will result in a vehicle-integrable system expected to be completed within two years.

The development was showcased during an on-site visit by the Professional Advisory Board of the National Laboratory of Autonomous Systems, organized at the initiative of the National Research, Development and Innovation Office (NKFIH). During the visit, BME researchers provided an overview of Hungary’s latest innovations in autonomous vehicle safety.

A key component of autonomous mobility is the vehicle’s radio communication with other vehicles and with roadside sensing systems. The core of BME’s innovation lies in a safety function capable of recognizing approaching hazards in time and alerting the driver or the automated system, even under weak signal conditions. This enables vehicles to maintain reliable operation even when communication quality degrades, significantly reducing potential risks.

“Our goal is to ensure that vehicles can respond safely to emerging hazards under all circumstances. Our system can optimize the safety of an autonomous vehicle even in extreme environmental conditions, when it temporarily loses reliable signals from its surroundings,” explains Dr. Árpád Török, Senior Research Fellow at the BME Department of Automotive Technologies and Head of the Vehicle Safety Research Group. “This advancement could represent a new level of safety for autonomous driving, potentially accelerating the widespread adoption of automated mobility while helping to strengthen public trust in the technology through positive real-world experience.”

Virtual testing against invisible hazards

The system developed by the research group can also serve as a testing environment, allowing radio communication–based vehicle functions to be tested simultaneously in real and virtual settings. The solution can simulate weak communication links, enabling the assessment of how a vehicle reacts in critical situations under realistic conditions. The results can then be used to develop new, more advanced safety concepts. The system provides an independent, technology-neutral testing environment for validating future vehicle communication systems. This innovation is pioneering even on an international scale, supporting research, development, and safety standardization alike.

Cybersecurity as a key priority

Not only external but also internal communication networks within vehicles directly affect the physical safety of road users. In increasingly networked vehicles, various control units—such as braking, steering, and powertrain controllers—constantly exchange data. If these internal communications are compromised by a cyberattack or system failure, vehicle controllability, stability, and responsiveness can be endangered. To prevent such risks, BME’s research team places strong emphasis on investigating and enhancing the cybersecurity of in-vehicle networks, communication protocols, and control systems.

“It is a strategic priority for us to develop cutting-edge cybersecurity methodologies for our automotive industry partners. Our research focuses on AI-assisted security development and intelligent testing approaches. These methods allow for early detection of potential vulnerabilities and the design of preventive protection strategies. We also provide cybersecurity testing services supporting vehicle homologation processes, and we contribute to the creation of national testing protocols—helping ensure that Hungary’s automotive industry can apply safe, up-to-date, and globally competitive solutions,” adds Árpád Török, Ph.D.

Innovation and Safety Shaping the Future of the Bus Industry – BME Experts at the 55th Bus Engineering Conference

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Technological innovation and vehicle safety were in the spotlight on October 29 at the 55th Bus Engineering Conference, held at DrivingCamp Hungary in Zsámbék. The Department of Automotive Technologies at Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) was represented by two speakers: Dr. József Hlinka and Dr. Zsombor Pethő.

This long-standing professional event brings together experts focusing on the development, operation, and maintenance of buses and trolleybuses. This year’s conference placed special emphasis on the introduction of electric buses and the first operational experiences, the presentation of new Hungarian bus developments, as well as the role of driver assistance systems and the industry’s environmental transition.

Representing two complementary research areas within the Department:

  • Dr. József Hlinka, head of the Laser and Vehicle Manufacturing Technologies Research Group, presented “Innovative Structural Materials and Joining Technologies in the Vehicle and Bus Industry”, highlighting new directions in safety, durability, and sustainability.
  • Dr. Zsombor Pethő, from the Vehicle Safety Research Group, gave a presentation titled “Cybersecurity Compliance of Vehicles”, addressing the protection challenges and compliance requirements of connected and automated vehicle systems.

The venue provided not only a professional atmosphere for discussions but also space for indoor exhibitions, outdoor bus demonstrations, and on-track test drives. The event offered an excellent opportunity for knowledge exchange, networking, and shaping the future of public transport together.

The participation of BME’s researchers once again underlined the Department’s active role in advancing the Hungarian vehicle industry — contributing to a safer and more sustainable transport future through cutting-edge manufacturing and cybersecurity research.

BMW donates an electric MINI for educational use to BME’s Department of Automotive Technologies

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The BMW Group has donated a fully electric MINI Countryman SE All4 to the Department of Automotive Technologies at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME). The vehicle was received by Dr. Zsolt Szalay, Head of Department, and Dr. Márk Lelkes, Head of the Innovative Vehicle Technologies Research Group, for educational purposes.

Thanks to the contribution of BMW Group Hungary, a brand-new fully electric MINI Countryman SE All4 has arrived at BME’s Department of Automotive Technologies. The vehicle is not road-legal and cannot be sold; it will exclusively serve educational and research purposes in laboratory environments, supporting hands-on learning for students.

The official handover ceremony took place on October 27 at Rack Autó, BMW’s dealership in Budaörs. The car was presented to the university representatives by Éva Csomor, Qualification & Retail HR Manager for Hungary and Romania, and Róbert Rák, Head of Customer Service at BMW Group Hungary.

“At BMW Group Hungary, we consider it a priority to support higher technical education and inspire the engineers of the future. Electromobility represents not only technological progress but also a change in mindset — one that requires the active involvement of young talent. With this initiative, we are strengthening our presence in higher education as well, contributing to the competitiveness of Hungarian engineering students and to shaping the future of the automotive industry,”

said Éva Csomor, Training and Retail HR Manager at BMW Group Hungary.

Róbert Rák, Head of Customer Service at BMW Group Hungary, emphasized the long-term goals of the initiative:

“This is a long-term program focused on developing the next generation of professionals — one of the biggest challenges in our industry today, especially on the service side. Collaborations like this ensure that future engineers can learn using state-of-the-art technology. Our technical trainers are also ready to support university instructors in gaining a deeper understanding of the vehicle’s diagnostic and drivetrain systems.”

Dr. Zsolt Szalay, Head of Department, expressed his appreciation:

“We are very pleased about this collaboration and grateful to BMW Group Hungary for this generous donation. The vehicle will play a significant role in both laboratory courses and research projects. We hope this handover will be the first milestone in a long-term partnership that creates new opportunities in automotive education and research.”

He added that the department has in recent years placed growing emphasis on inspiring young people and promoting engineering careers. Partnerships with industry leaders such as BMW Group Hungary are essential to ensure that students encounter real, cutting-edge technologies during their university studies.

The donated MINI Countryman SE All4 is the brand’s largest model — the flagship of the Countryman range. The fully electric, all-wheel-drive vehicle incorporates BMW Group’s latest technologies. It will serve as a valuable educational tool for teaching electric mobility, powertrain diagnostics, and energy management.

The collaboration between BMW Group Hungary and BME’s Department of Automotive Technologies represents an exemplary step in bridging academic knowledge and practical industry experience — and a strong signal of the automotive industry’s commitment to supporting the next generation of engineers.
As Éva Csomor concluded, “this cooperation is part of BMW Group Hungary’s long-term strategy, built on the three pillars of innovation, sustainability, and education.”

Impact from Research — Industrial Partners Present Joint Results with BME at the ARNL Professional Meeting

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The Department of Automotive Technologies at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) and the National Laboratory of Autonomous Systems (ARNL) held a joint professional meeting on October 7, 2025, where key industrial partners showcased the outcomes and future directions of their collaborations with the university. The event was also streamed online for high school students, teachers, BME students, and researchers, offering a broader audience insight into the impact of academic–industrial cooperation.

The goal of the event was clear: to demonstrate how laboratory research evolves into industrial applications, and what tangible benefits university–industry collaborations bring to the fields of automotive technology and transportation infrastructure.

“Research becomes truly valuable when it has an impact on the world — when academic knowledge finds its way into industrial practice, and through it, into everyday life of society.”

– said Dr. Zsolt Szalay, Head of the Department of Automotive Technologies at BME and Scientific Director of the National Laboratory of Autonomous Systems, in his opening remarks.

Az együttműködés ereje – az ipar szemszögéből

A találkozón hat vállalat vezetői és szakértői osztották meg tapasztalataikat a BME-vel közösen végzett munkáról.

The Power of Collaboration — Through the Eyes of Industry

Leaders and experts from six major companies shared their perspectives on joint work with BME.

András Kemler, Managing Director for Technical Areas at Robert Bosch Kft., highlighted how collaborative research — such as the Ground Truth Cross-Validation and Intelligent Traffic Sensing System developments — supports the real-world testing and industrial deployment of autonomous systems.

Dr. Zoltán Gyurkó, Head of Research and Development at Knorr-Bremse Braking Systems Kft., discussed cybersecurity in vehicle systems and the role of artificial intelligence. He presented tools and methods — including AI-based TARA and smart fuzzer developments — that strengthen secure development lifecycles.

Mike Sasena, Automotive Product Manager at MathWorks, expressed his appreciation in a video message for the collaboration with the BME Automated Drive Lab, which led to the integration of three digital track elements of the ZalaZONE proving ground into the latest MATLAB and Simulink release. These realistic scenes are now available to researchers and developers worldwide.

Róbert Radnai, Engineering Vice President at SMR Automotive Mirror Technology Hungary, presented the company’s innovation ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of sensor fusion, augmented reality technologies, and formally verified models in developing safe and reliable vehicle systems.

Zoltán Karászi, Chairman of the Board at QTICS Group, shared insights from the field of automotive conformity assessment and cybersecurity certification. Through collaboration with ARNL and BME, Hungarian engineering expertise now contributes to international homologation processes aligned with UN R155, R156, and R157 standards.

Finally, József Attila Szilvai, CEO of Magyar Közút Nonprofit Zrt., spoke about the digital transformation of road management. His presentation introduced the digital twin and Central System developments on the joint section of the M1–M7 motorways, pioneering examples of real-time traffic monitoring and integrated use of geospatial data.

As the program concluded, participants experienced a VR-based demonstration that brought the Central System and the M1–M7 digital twin to life.
The immersive, real-time visualization offered a striking illustration of how research results can evolve into a development platform serving the future of safe and intelligent mobility.

When Research Becomes Tangible

The presentations made it clear that the joint developments of BME and its industrial partners reach far beyond the laboratory — taking shape in real-world systems, products, and services.
The digital twin, cybersecurity validation frameworks, and virtual ZalaZONE track elements are all innovations that simultaneously advance scientific progress and enhance industrial competitiveness.

After the formal program, guests continued their discussions informally, exploring new opportunities for collaboration and defining shared directions for the future.

Collaboration Continues

The Department of Automotive Technologies and the National Laboratory of Autonomous Systems extend their sincere thanks to all speakers — András Kemler (Bosch), Dr. Zoltán Gyurkó (Knorr-Bremse), Mike Sasena (MathWorks), Róbert Radnai (SMR), Zoltán Karászi (QTICS), and József Attila Szilvai (Magyar Közút) — for their inspiring and thought-provoking contributions.

The event once again demonstrated that when scientific research meets industrial innovation, the result is impact — on technology, on industry, and ultimately, on our shared future.

Metal 3D Printing Up Close at the Researchers’ Night

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At the end of September, the halls of BME once again came alive as Researchers’ Night opened its doors to science enthusiasts. This year’s programs allowed visitors to explore laboratories that are rarely accessible to the public. The Department of Automotive Technologies also welcomed guests, who had the chance to discover one of today’s most advanced manufacturing processes: metal 3D printing.

The demonstration was led by Dr. Ferenc László Varga, Assistant Professor at our department, and Alexandra Bereczki, PhD student. They introduced the audience to Selective Laser Melting (SLM), an additive manufacturing technology, guiding them through the entire workflow — from design and production to post-processing — and showcasing finished components.

Visitors could see a selection of several hundred printed parts produced at the department, and even witnessed something special: the live production of a drone main frame from titanium, created within the framework of the Cooperative Technologies National Laboratory (KTNL) project.

All three sessions quickly filled up, and participants enjoyed an engaging, hands-on insight into how metal 3D printing is shaping the future of manufacturing.