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.

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.

Hungarian–Austrian EUREKA Central System Project Concludes with Final Event at BME

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A four-year research and development project has come to a successful close at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME). Led by BME’s Department of Automotive Technologies, the EUREKA Central System project showcased the next generation of automated vehicles and intelligent road infrastructures. The international consortium — comprising six Hungarian and six Austrian partners — developed cutting-edge technological solutions that open new horizons in testing and developing autonomous mobility systems.

Launched in September 2021, the project presented its final results in October 2025 at BME’s Stoczek Street building. The closing event was opened by Dr. Zsolt Szalay, Head of the Department of Automotive Technologies, followed by presentations from Dr. András Rövid (BME) and Dr. Arno Eichberger (TU Graz), who outlined the project’s main objectives and milestones.

The Next Generation of Smart Roads

At the heart of the project was the development of a centralized system supporting the testing and control of connected and automated vehicles. The system, created by BME’s research team, generates a real-time, high-precision digital twin from roadside sensor data, capable of mapping the movements of both vehicles and their environment.

One of the most striking achievements was the smart road segment built along the shared section of Hungary’s M1–M7 motorways. Based on its digital twin model, BME researchers also developed a mobile application that provides vehicles without onboard sensors with real-time traffic and environmental information — such as lane positioning, surrounding vehicle movements, and static object locations.

“The project’s key significance lies in creating the next generation of smart roads and demonstrating their potential in developing and testing connected and automated vehicles. We also validated our results through real-world demonstrations with our partners,” emphasized Dr. András Rövid, the project’s technical lead and researcher at BME Automated Drive.

Cloud-Based Vehicle Control and Mixed-Reality Testing

Together with experts from TU Wien, STARD, and Virtual Vehicle, the BME team developed cloud-based vehicle control and trajectory planning solutions that enable centralized driving control and teleoperation at speeds of up to 90 km/h.

Another innovation was the mixed-reality testing as a service concept, which allows virtual objects to be integrated into real-world test environments — with vehicles responding to them as if they were real. With the contribution of TU Graz, researchers also implemented real-time integration of actual traffic data into simulation environments, allowing for even more realistic testing conditions.

Extensive Industrial Collaboration

Hungarian project partners included Robert Bosch Kft., Magyar Közút Nonprofit Zrt., Budapest Közút Zrt., Magyar Telekom Nyrt., and Bimfra Kft.
On the Austrian side, participants included TU Graz, TU Wien, Joanneum Research, Tom Robotics, STARD, and Virtual Vehicle.

Magyar Közút was responsible for establishing the sensor infrastructure along the M1–M7 motorway section. Bosch defined the system requirements, validated the smart road using drone-based methods, and integrated advanced driver assistance functions into the central control system. Magyar Telekom coordinated the development of the 5G V2X communication infrastructure, while Budapest Közút and Bimfra conducted high-resolution mapping and 3D modeling tasks.

Collaboration for the Future of Autonomous Mobility

Participants unanimously emphasized that the project not only delivered technological innovations but also laid the groundwork for the future of road infrastructure and the integrated development model of connected autonomous mobility.

The EUREKA Central System project has demonstrated that international, industry–academia collaborations can deliver practical, working solutions to the challenges of intelligent transportation — opening a new chapter in the research and development of automated vehicles.

Intelligent Transport: Hungarian Innovations at the Forefront of Global Mobility

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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.”

Bálint Nagy

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.”

Charaf Hassan

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.”

Zsolt Szalay

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.”

József Attila Szilvai

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.

Mobile application demo version

The Department of Automotive Technologies Strengthens International Ties at Karlsruhe Workshop

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In early August 2025, Dr. Zsolt Szalay, Head of the Department of Automotive Technologies, Dr. Árpád Török, Head of the Safety and Security Research Group, along with Dr.Zsombor Pethő, Research Fellow, and Tamás Kazár, PhD student, took part in a professional visit to Karlsruhe.

The joint workshop, hosted by the Institute for Information Processing Technology (Institut für Technik der Informationsverarbeitung – KIT ITIV) and the FZI Research Center for Information Technology (FZI Forschungszentrum Informatik), provided an excellent opportunity to share research results, exchange professional experiences, and strengthen existing collaborations.

Held in a friendly and inspiring atmosphere, the event not only fostered discussions on current projects but also laid the groundwork for new joint research directions. The meeting further deepened the connection between the two institutions and contributed to the launch of future joint innovation initiatives and international projects

Hungarian Smart Road Becomes World Leader – Confirmed by BME’s Study Visit to China

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Three researchers from the Department of Automotive Technologies at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) recently conducted a study visit to examine China’s most advanced intelligent transportation systems. Their key takeaway: the digital twin-based smart highway section on Hungary’s M1–M7 motorway exceeds the Chinese systems in both accuracy and latency. The solution developed at BME has implemented what is currently the most advanced smart road section in the world.

“The World’s Smartest Highway Section” – Hungarian Innovation Recognized in China

In July 2025, three researchers from BME – Dr. Zsolt Szalay (Head of Department), Dr. András Rövid, and Zsolt Vincze – embarked on an extensive study tour across China and Hong Kong. Their goal was to gain firsthand insights into the development of Chinese intelligent transport infrastructure and strengthen the ongoing collaboration between BME and the City University of Hong Kong.

One of the most important conclusions from the trip was that – although Chinese smart road networks cover far greater distances than Hungary’s demonstration section – the technological sophistication of the M1–M7 digital twin system, especially in terms of precision and real-time performance, surpassed all the systems observed in China.

Experts at multiple institutions in China openly acknowledged this and expressed their aim to reach the technological level already achieved in Hungary.

This feedback reinforces the fact that the M1–M7 smart road section, developed by BME, is not only a European but also a global benchmark in intelligent road infrastructure. It rightly deserves to be called: the world’s smartest highway section.

Hong Kong: Teleoperation Breakthroughs and International Innovation Programs

Invited by the City University of Hong Kong, the BME delegation reaffirmed an existing research collaboration. The teleoperation system used in Hong Kong is powered by technology developed at BME, and recent improvements have reduced response latency to below 10 milliseconds using a local server—an exceptionally low delay even by global standards.

The development experiences from Hungary’s M1–M7 smart road also attracted strong interest, and two new joint project proposals were outlined during the visit.

The CityU leadership—including Vice President for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Prof. Michael Yang and Prof. Johnny Ho—introduced the HKtech300 program, which supports research-driven technology startups with seed investments equivalent to approximately 100,000 EUR. The program is open to international partners, and future joint patent applications with BME are also on the agenda.

BYD, Tsinghua, CICV – China’s Technology Hubs

At the Shenzhen headquarters of BYD, Vice President Luo Zhongliang and the future director of the Hungarian plant confirmed that they are actively seeking MSc and PhD students for their Budapest R&D base and are open to launching a collaborative program proposed by BME.

At Beijing’s National Intelligent Connected Vehicle Innovation Center (CICV), experts responded positively to the technological solutions implemented on the M1–M7 section, stating that they are aiming to reach a similar level.

At Tsinghua University, Dr. Zsolt Szalay’s lecture attracted great interest, particularly in the topics of digital twin technology and autonomous drifting—areas where Chinese professors acknowledged that Hungary has a truly unique approach.

Real-World Traffic Tests and AI – Insights from Multiple Chinese Cities

In Beijing and Suzhou, the BME researchers encountered various smart transport solutions where autonomous vehicles are already operating in real urban traffic. These included buses and shuttle vehicles that alternated between relying on their own sensors and external infrastructure signals.

Among the Chinese implementations, Suzhou had the most advanced digital twin model, but even this was found to be surpassed by the Hungarian M1–M7 system in terms of technical capabilities.

Chongqing and Seres Automotive: Training Future Engineers and Autonomous Luxury Vehicles

At Chongqing University, the team was introduced to cutting-edge research in the automation of land, air, and water-based vehicles. Meanwhile, a visit to the Seres Automotive factory showcased the production of Huawei-powered AITO luxury vehicles.

The delegation rode in the M9 flagship model on a fully autonomous 25-minute journey from the factory to the airport. The vehicle successfully handled two unexpected traffic scenarios, demonstrating the maturity of the system.

Global Experience, Local Success – BME’s Smart Road Becomes a Global Reference

The study tour offered unambiguous confirmation: the digital twin-based system developed by the Budapest University of Technology and Economics not only held its ground against the world’s top smart road technologies — it actually outperformed them.

The M1–M7 smart road section has become an international reference point and rightfully claims the title: the world’s smartest highway section.

The collaborations already launched or currently under development—as well as the growing international recognition of Hungarian solutions—are paving the way for Hungary to become a key player in the future of mobility.

Thought-Provoking Questions About the Future – Dr. Zsolt Szalay’s Lecture at BME Children’s University

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The BME Children’s University returned again in the summer of 2025, offering exciting lectures and activities for curious minds aged 8 to 14. One of the most popular sessions this year was a presentation by Dr. Zsolt Szalay, Head of the Department of Automotive Technologies and leader of the BME Automated Drive research group. His engaging and interactive lecture explored the evolution and future of self-driving vehicles.

From the very beginning, the young audience was visibly captivated. The combination of technological insights, visual demonstrations, and real-world examples sparked genuine curiosity among the children. After the lecture, many gathered around Dr. Szalay to ask questions—some of which reflected surprisingly mature thinking about topics such as the future of mobility, artificial intelligence, and the reliability of autonomous systems.

“For me, this is a true source of inspiration every year. It’s amazing to see how much talent and openness is present in this age group. These moments always reaffirm my belief in the importance of engaging with the youngest generation,” said Dr. Zsolt Szalay.

This was not Dr. Szalay’s first appearance at the Children’s University—he has been a regular contributor for years and is personally committed to introducing engineering and science to children from an early age. Based on the feedback, this year’s participants also left with new ideas, inspiration—and perhaps their very first impressions of university life.

We hope that many of them will one day return to the halls of BME as university students—perhaps even as members of the Department of Automotive Technologies.

Our researchers showcased their digital twin-based safety research at an international workshop in Naples

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The Vehicle Safety and Security Research Group of the BME Automated Drive Lab, part of the Department of Automotive Technologies, actively contributed to the professional program of the first International Workshop on Digital Twins for Dependability, Resilience and Security (DT4DRS). The event was held as part of the prestigious IEEE/IFIP DSN 2025 conference in Naples, Italy.

The workshop focused on the applications of digital twin technology in enhancing reliability, resilience, and cybersecurity—especially in the context of vehicle systems. Our colleagues delivered several presentations demonstrating how these tools can support the development of safer and more resilient mobility systems in the future.

Congratulations to our presenters – Tamás Márton Kazár, Roland Nagy, Emil Nagy, and Zsombor Pethő – for their excellent professional contributions!

We were especially pleased to see Andrea Marchetta among the organizers. Andrea is a PhD student at the University of Naples Federico II who previously spent several months in Budapest continuing his research at our department. The workshop was organized with great dedication by him and his colleague, Marcello Cinque.

The event provided a valuable opportunity not only to present our latest research findings but also to further strengthen the collaboration between BME and the international academic community.