Research & Development News, Analysis and Market Intelligence
SearchTrack research & development news alongside market analysis, provider activity, and connected mobility intelligence from PAVE Insight.
Updated Xiaomi SU7 Ultra prototype tests revised aerodynamics at Nürburgring
An updated Xiaomi SU7 Ultra prototype has been spotted testing at Germany’s Nürburgring with a twin-plane rear wing and other revised aerodynamic features. Xiaomi has not confirmed whether the wing is active or announced specifications or a launch date.
Researchers demonstrate sunlight-driven water-splitting system for green hydrogen
EU-funded researchers developed a multicell system that uses sunlight to split water directly into hydrogen and oxygen. Tests achieved 18–21% solar-to-hydrogen efficiency, but the technology remains at laboratory proof-of-concept stage.
CATL advances 20 Ah solid-state battery cells, targeting 2027 trial production
CATL has moved its all-solid-state battery development from 10 Ah validation cells to 20 Ah sample trials. It targets small-batch production in 2027 and large-scale manufacturing around 2030, but has not disclosed expected output, automotive customers or a vehicle launch date.
Magnet recycling routes target usable components and feedstocks
The article compares alloy-preserving, powder-based and chemical routes for recovering permanent magnets. It reviews European facilities, pilots and reported trials, highlighting feedstock quality, processing, product qualification and customer acceptance as key to building circular supply chains.
JRC report maps societal priorities in European transport research
A JRC report reviews 146 EU-funded transport research projects from 2015–2025, identifying transport poverty as the most common focus. It highlights priorities for connected and automated mobility, including public trust, human-machine interaction and inclusive design.
AI road-monitoring trial detects more than 300 defects in Victoria
RMIT and RACV trialled an AI-powered system on a patrol van on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, detecting more than 300 road defects over 1,000 kilometres in two months. The system combines sensors, GPS, video and vehicle data to help road managers plan preventative maintenance.
Honda to roll out next-generation hybrid system globally from 2027
Honda plans to introduce its next-generation hybrid system from 2027 and launch 15 models by March 2030, primarily in North America. The technology includes a new vehicle platform, electric all-wheel drive and an integrated motion-management system.
EU research project maps critical-material supply chains to anticipate disruption
EU-funded MaaSiveTwin researchers are combining public data, AI and digital twins to map critical-material supply chains and forecast shortages or price shifts. The project aims to help European industry identify vulnerabilities and diversify sources of materials used in batteries and other technologies.
GM targets two-year vehicle development cycle using AI
General Motors aims to halve vehicle development time to about two years from four to five, using AI, simulation and concurrent engineering. It has not set a timeline for achieving the target.
Australian government fleet to test vehicle-to-grid services
ARENA, Jet Charge, AGL and the ACT Government will run a three-year trial involving up to 130 electric vehicles and bidirectional chargers. The project will test whether fleet vehicles can support the grid and generate revenue or reduce costs.
Fortescue to test electric mining equipment at its Western Australian operations
Fortescue says electric mining equipment from XCMG, including a loader, dozer, grader and water cart, is heading to its Pilbara operations for testing and refinement. The trials support its plan to replace diesel-powered mining equipment with electric alternatives.
Nissan expands Sonatus platform use in vehicle validation
Nissan Technical Centre Europe is expanding Sonatus Fastlane across pre-production validation after a proof of concept. The workflow captures vehicle data when faults occur and correlates it with engineering records; Nissan says investigation time fell from two weeks to two days.
Reports assess progress in Europe’s connected and automated mobility projects
Two reports assess 38 European CCAM projects, noting more than 115,000 km of testing without reported fatal or severe accidents. They highlight progress in safety and shared evaluation methods, while calling for stronger data sharing, cross-border testing and coordination to support wider deployment.
ZF validates stabiliser link made from recycled transmission oil pans
ZF, BASF and Mercedes-Benz have tested a stabiliser link made with polyamide 6 recovered from end-of-life transmission oil pans. Near-series trials confirmed the material’s processability and quality, earning the project a 2026 MATERIALICA Award for CO₂ efficiency.
ARA calls for transport to become a national innovation pillar
The Australasian Railway Association is urging the Australian Government to recognise transport as a national innovation pillar, arguing that coordinated research and development could improve productivity and infrastructure outcomes.
CCAM factsheets compare mobility research and innovation across seven markets
CCAMbassador has published factsheets on connected, cooperative and automated mobility research, strategies and deployment pathways in China, South Korea, Japan, the UAE, the US, the UK and the EU. It plans further country analyses and regular updates.
Hyundai plans $15.5bn investment in India through 2032
Hyundai Motor Group plans to invest $15.5bn in India from 2026 to 2032, covering manufacturing expansion, R&D infrastructure, local supplier development and future technology. It will establish a dedicated investment entity in the country.
CCC tests Digital Key Version 4 at 20th plugfest
The Car Connectivity Consortium’s 20th plugfest, hosted by Google in San Jose, is testing Version 4 digital key capabilities for fleet, rental and service-based vehicle access, alongside cross-version, Bluetooth LE and entry-system interoperability.
Kyocera validates multi-hop 5G mmWave repeater network in San Diego
Kyocera validated a three-hop mmWave repeater network on Qualcomm’s San Diego campus. The repeaters autonomously selected relay paths and extended 5G coverage into areas obstructed by buildings and vegetation, demonstrating a way to expand coverage without adding base stations.
Samsung to supply AI-RAN technology for South Korean industrial trials
Samsung has signed contracts with KT and SK Telecom to supply technology for South Korea’s two-year Hyper AI Network programme. Field trials using private 5G, edge AI and industrial robots are due to begin in October 2026; the projects will test systems, not launch commercial services.
Arkansas opens institute for semiconductor and power-electronics research
The University of Arkansas has opened ARIES to advance research, workforce development and technology transition in semiconductors and power electronics. Its facilities include a centre investigating solid-state solutions for electrified transport and the power grid.
Remondis trials electric rubbish truck in Australia
Remondis Australia trialled a Mercedes-Benz eEconic electric rubbish truck in Brisbane and is assessing the technology for its 600-truck collection fleet. The company will analyse trial data with Mercedes-Benz and other participants.
XPENG tests VLA 2.0 driving system on Amsterdam roads
A journalist rode in an XPENG L03 prototype using VLA 2.0 on Amsterdam roads, reporting how its AI-driven assistance handled bicycles, construction and narrow streets. XPENG plans a European public release in 2027.
VAIPOSA completes AI navigation research for resilient positioning
The ESA-funded VAIPOSA project has tested a safety-supervised system combining GNSS and AI-based SLAM in autonomous-driving simulations. Its Safety Cage monitors navigation reliability and supports mitigation when anomalies are detected.
GMV showcases high-precision positioning and LEO-PNT work at ION GNSS+
GMV showcased high-precision GNSS and resilient navigation solutions at ION GNSS+ 2026 in Orlando, including technology with potential vehicle applications. It also presented its work on the ESA’s Celeste demonstration mission, which is exploring LEO satellites to enhance Galileo.
White paper examines workforce impacts of connected automated mobility
A CCAM-ERAS white paper draws on two years of research to assess how connected and automated mobility may reshape jobs and skills in Europe. It calls for coordinated workforce training, skills planning and institutional preparation as deployment advances.
Flinders project develops second-life uses for EV batteries
Flinders University and industry partners are developing a scalable process to repurpose end-of-life EV batteries for storage in homes, farms and remote communities. The South Australian project aims to demonstrate prototypes and establish a commercially viable reuse pathway.
Sonatus reports AI-assisted vehicle quality trial results at Nissan centre
Sonatus says a trial at Nissan Technical Centre Europe cut manual data aggregation from up to four hours to under five minutes and reduced anomaly detection and reporting times. The preliminary programme uses event-driven vehicle data collection and AI-assisted analysis.
Li Auto targets small-batch solid-state battery integration from 2027
Li Auto is targeting small-batch vehicle integration of its solid-state battery technology in 2027 or 2028, while mature mass production is expected around 2032 or 2033. The company cites lifespan, charging performance and cost as key challenges.
Zeekr tests 009 MPV seat foam’s durability under 20-ton truck
Zeekr says its layered 009 MPV seat foam retained its structure and vibration-damping performance after being driven over by nine passenger cars and a 20-ton Farizon heavy-duty truck.
Fortescue plans first Australian Formula E team
Mining company Fortescue plans to enter Formula E with a team acquired from Penske and a Jaguar-powered electric race car. Its engineers will use the championship to develop battery, software and hardware technologies for mining and other applications.
Powerstar showcases trucks and tests Euro 5 prototypes in South Africa
Powerstar distributor Ever Star Industries showcased construction and mining trucks at Electra Mining Africa, while testing new 6×4 Euro 5 manual and automatic prototypes. The company also highlighted local assembly, expanded production and demand for water tankers in South Africa.
Digital twins support CCAM pilots across four European cities
Horizon Europe project FRODDO is using digital twins to test connected and automated mobility applications, including traffic-management simulation, early warnings, demand prediction and autonomous tow-truck monitoring across pilots in Ljubljana, Athens, Modena and Bursa.
Kapsch begins real-world V2X trial in Buenos Aires
Kapsch TrafficCom has begun a proof-of-concept V2X trial in Buenos Aires, connecting vehicles, roadside infrastructure and traffic management systems. The pilot is testing alerts for road hazards and closures, with traffic-signal priority and public-transport applications planned.
Samsung and Verizon complete AI-powered 5G ISAC trial
Samsung and Verizon completed an AI-powered integrated sensing and communications trial over commercial 5G infrastructure in Dallas. The vRAN-based system generated crowd-density heatmaps from radio signals without dedicated cameras, lidar or sensing hardware, demonstrating a potential foundation for 6G capabilities.
Fatigue Science and Dot Transportation begin predictive fatigue pilot
Dot Transportation is piloting Fatigue Science’s Readi platform to predict driver fatigue risk before shifts and help supervisors plan interventions. The trial will assess how AI-generated fatigue insights can complement Samsara telematics and existing fleet safety processes.
VW reveals ultra-efficient prototype EV with 1,278km real-world test range
Volkswagen has revealed the Mission Efficiency prototype, an MEB+ electric coupé achieving 6.89kWh/100km and a 0.158 drag coefficient. Its 54.9kWh battery completed a 1,278km test route with one charge, supported by lightweight materials, aerodynamics and solar generation.
Toyota demonstrates voice messaging over Iridium satellite connectivity
Iridium, Deutsche Telekom IoT and Toyota have demonstrated standards-based NB-IoT voice messaging from a vehicle via Iridium’s global satellite network. A roaming agreement is complete, with commercial availability for Deutsche Telekom IoT customers planned for the fourth quarter of 2026.
BYD plans solid-state battery vehicle demonstration next year
BYD executive Stella Li says the company plans to put its solid-state battery technology into a vehicle next year. The demonstration will test sulfide-cell integration, while pilot production and mass-market manufacturing remain further down the roadmap.
GM plans US sodium-ion battery production with Peak Energy
General Motors is developing sodium-ion battery cells with Peak Energy for energy storage, targeting commercial production around 2029. It is also investing $900m in US battery laboratories and aims to build domestic cell supply for future electric vehicles.