The BME Department of Automotive Technologies held discussions with representatives of Hong Kong’s City University (CityU) and QuantumCTek on potential areas of collaboration in future mobility, autonomous systems and quantum technology. During the professional programmes organised by the Department, researchers presented developments related to intelligent road infrastructure, research supporting the safety of autonomous vehicles, and additive manufacturing technologies.

On 13 October 2026, a delegation from City University of Hong Kong (CityU) and a representative of the Chinese quantum technology company QuantumCTek visited Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME). Alongside strategic discussions between the universities, the visit provided an opportunity for the Department of Automotive Technologies to showcase its research expertise through dedicated professional programmes and explore new opportunities for international collaboration.

Two Professional Programmes, Multiple Opportunities for Research Collaboration

The Department organised two separate professional meetings with members of the delegation. The first focused on applications of autonomous systems in transportation and manufacturing, as well as related research and development opportunities. Researchers from the BME Automated Drive Lab presented their work on intelligent road infrastructure, advances in cooperative perception, and research supporting the safety and cybersecurity of autonomous vehicles.

Participants also received an overview of developments related to the M1–M7 Smart Road infrastructure. The programme included an augmented and virtual reality demonstration of the system, as well as a demonstration of V2X communication supporting advanced driver assistance functions. The visitors also had the opportunity to learn about the work carried out in the Department’s additive manufacturing laboratory.

The meeting went beyond presenting ongoing research: the participants reviewed CityU’s research in autonomous systems and identified potential areas for further professional collaboration.

Quantum Technology as a Further Area for Collaboration

The second professional meeting focused on quantum technology research and related institutional and industrial cooperation. In addition to presentations on BME’s quantum technology programme and research associated with the National Quantum Laboratory, the programme covered the quantum technology activities of the HUN-REN Wigner Research Centre for Physics and its collaboration with BME. The QuantumCTek representative presented the company’s research activities, while the CityU delegation introduced relevant research areas at the university.

The aim of the meeting was to explore research expertise and identify potential points of connection. The programme illustrated how university research, research institute capabilities and industrial development can complement one another and create new opportunities for international scientific and technological collaboration.

A Growing Partnership from Research to Innovation

The Department’s programmes formed part of the broader development of institutional relations between BME and CityU. The two universities signed an institutional Memorandum of Understanding in December 2024, following earlier professional discussions on autonomous vehicles. Since then, the partnership has expanded to include joint research and development, knowledge transfer and student mobility.

An important milestone in this relationship was a BME delegation’s visit to Hong Kong in July 2025. In addition to strengthening institutional ties, the visit provided an opportunity to learn about developments in China’s intelligent road infrastructure. Initiatives launched since then have included cooperation in cybersecurity research and the development of future mobility technologies.

BME’s spin-off company, DriveByCloud, also contributes to translating research results into practical applications. The company is exploring research and development opportunities related to autonomous vehicles in collaboration with CityU and has applied to the CityU HK Tech 300 innovation programme. BME and DriveByCloud are also preparing a joint patent application entitled Real-Time Digital Twin-Assisted Teleoperation for Autonomous Vehicles.

The professional programmes organised by the Department of Automotive Technologies helped build on the existing institutional partnership by enabling the direct presentation of research results, strengthening professional relationships and identifying specific areas for future cooperation. The visit therefore both reinforced the Department’s international research network and opened up new perspectives in transportation technologies, safety and quantum technology.

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.

A student team from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, affiliated with the Department of Automotive Technologies and BME Automated Drive, has been selected as a European finalist in one of the world’s most prestigious vehicle safety competitions. The final will take place within the framework of the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles Conference in Toronto in May 2026.

The Vehicle Safety and Security Research Group (VSSRG), operating within BME Automated Drive at the Department of Automotive Technologies, has achieved significant international recognition: its student team has been selected as a European finalist for the 10th Student Safety Technology Design Competition.

The competition is part of the 28th ESV Conference, held between May 12–15, 2026, in Toronto, Canada. Co-hosted by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Transport Canada, the event brings together leading experts, industry stakeholders, and researchers to advance global vehicle safety.

An Innovative Response to a Critical Safety Challenge

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

The team members are:

• Abdulagha Dadashev
• Roland Nagy
• Tamás Márton Kazár
• Faculty advisor: Zsombor Pethő

The research focuses on road intersections, which remain among the most hazardous environments in traffic systems. A significant proportion of accidents at intersections is caused by limited situational awareness—particularly in blind intersection scenarios—as well as delayed driver reactions, especially in dense urban traffic conditions.

The project addresses a key limitation of current systems: traditional perception sensors and onboard driver assistance technologies alone are not sufficient to fully mitigate these risks. The team explores how Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication can be leveraged to develop advanced risk metrics, enabling cooperative, real-time decision-making and more effective collision prevention.

From Student Innovation to the International Stage

This achievement is the result of a consciously built innovation ecosystem. The VSSRG organizes the annual Safety First! student competition, providing a structured platform for developing and showcasing safety-focused concepts. Beyond fostering new ideas, the initiative also creates pathways to international recognition—clearly demonstrated by this finalist position, as well as previous successes within the competition.

“The next level of road safety will be defined by cooperative systems. Our student team’s work demonstrates that V2X-based approaches are not just theoretical concepts, but can provide measurable contributions to accident prevention. It is particularly important for us that this achievement emerges from a student-driven ecosystem intentionally designed to foster internationally competitive innovation,” said Zsombor Pethő, faculty advisor of the team.

Strengthening BME’s International Presence

Reaching the finals is an important milestone not only for the team, but also for the Department of Automotive Technologies, the Faculty of Transportation Engineering and Vehicle Engineering, and the university as a whole. It reflects the ability of BME’s education and research activities to directly address the most pressing global challenges of the automotive and mobility sectors.

Participating in the finals in Toronto offers a valuable opportunity to present the team’s results to leading international experts and further strengthen BME’s position in the global vehicle safety innovation landscape.

Further updates will follow as the competition progresses.

This year, one of the jury members at the Safety First! final was Péter Simányi, Lead Project Engineer at Jaguar Land Rover. In his view, students once again performed at a high level—not just technically, but in their attitude as well. We spoke with him about his experiences, the real industrial value of the competition, and the road to becoming a successful engineer.

– What impressions did you leave with after this year’s final? Was there anything that stood out to you in particular?

Even last year, we saw surprisingly mature ideas in the entries—and this year was no different. That’s especially encouraging to me. On the one hand, it reflects the excellent work being done by the university’s faculty and programs. On the other, it shows that students are not only following industry trends—they want to shape them. And I believe this ambition—the drive to help shape the future—is absolutely key to long-term success.
I was most impressed by projects where teams identified an existing problem and started with a known solution, then reimagined and validated it based on their own ideas. That mindset is crucial. In the real world of industry, it’s rarely about reinventing the wheel. Rather, we evaluate and adapt existing solutions to make our vehicles safer and better. That’s how we innovate a little each day—and, with some luck, occasionally experience a true “Eureka” moment.

– What kind of value does this competition offer from an industry perspective?

Engineering—especially in the automotive sector—rests on three key pillars: problem-solving, teamwork, and presentation. As engineers, we often face challenges we didn’t even know existed in the morning. Technical readiness is essential, particularly in areas like Functional Safety, where people’s lives are literally on the line.
At the same time, soft skills are just as important: we must collaborate with other teams and stakeholders, communicate effectively, negotiate compromises, and listen to and accept differing opinions. And eventually, we must present all this to decision-makers who often have only 30 minutes to grasp the issue and make a call.
Safety First! gives students a supportive and safe environment to develop exactly these abilities.

– How successfully does the competition reflect real-world industrial challenges?

Very successfully. Students are able to pinpoint problems that industry players also struggle with—albeit on a different scale, since their resources and experience are different. But accurate problem formulation is already a sign of insight—even if guided by university mentors.
Several times—both this year and last—jury members were surprised by how closely a team’s project mirrored problems currently being tackled by global automotive groups. And it’s especially positive that some students deliberately chose topics outside their comfort zones to broaden their horizons. That’s a tremendously valuable attitude that deserves support.

– Were there any students or teams worth keeping an eye on for the long term?

Yes—and in fact, two members of this year’s winning team, secUred, are already my colleagues at JLR, having joined the company some time ago. And I believe one of the members of last year’s third-place team, vADAS, is also now working with us.
That says a lot about this competition: it’s an excellent springboard. As jury members, we’re watching not only as judges—but as potential future colleagues. The opportunity is there for everyone.
You don’t need to coordinate a Moon landing as a university student—what you do need is dedication, persistence, and self-management. From what I’ve seen so far, students are getting the technical knowledge they need from the university.

– What advice would you give to those planning to participate next year?

Go for it. Step up, show who you are, gain experience! After every final, I’ve told participants: you can be proud of yourselves. The fact that you chose to spend your time learning and growing—often in skillsets you didn’t even expect to use—will always pay off.
I used to be a professional athlete, and one thing we often heard was: “No effort is ever wasted.” That holds true in industry too. These students poured their free time into their projects—brainstorming, collaborating, getting stuck, getting unstuck, and going the extra mile. That attitude takes you far—in your career and in life.
And presentation skills are especially important. You can tell when someone has watched professional colleagues present during an internship. My advice is to think carefully in advance about what you want to show and what you want to say. Keep those separate. Overloaded slides take attention away from your message.
I follow the 7:1 rule: no more than seven words per image on a slide. That way, your audience can absorb the content—and you can tell the rest yourself.

– What does it mean to you personally to take part in this university-industry collaboration as a jury member?

It was a truly rewarding experience. I believe this kind of collaboration is a model worth following, as it serves the interests of both sides. University education is only truly effective when it prepares students for the real world—and industry has a strong interest in supporting that process. After all, today’s students are tomorrow’s engineers—our future colleagues.
The synergy among the jury members was absolutely fantastic. We understood each other very well and collaborated effectively throughout.
I am truly grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a prestigious competition once again.