R&D News
SearchResearch, development, trials or laboratory work on relevant vehicles, products or technology.
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.
Yangwang develops Rolls-Royce-inspired sedan and SUV rivals
BYD’s Yangwang is developing a large luxury sedan and SUV, both reportedly inspired by Rolls-Royce models. The vehicles have been spotted in China, with the SUV undergoing high-temperature testing and potentially featuring BYD’s DiPilot assisted-driving system.
BYD to develop Blade batteries for industrial rail locomotives in China
BYD’s FinDreams Battery has partnered with Changsha Fusheng Technology to develop automotive-grade Blade Battery systems for industrial and mining rail locomotives. FinDreams will support battery R&D and manufacturing, while Changsha Fusheng handles integration and application development.
FBK advances single-photon research for LiDAR and quantum technologies
FBK’s Sensors and Devices Center is developing single-photon technologies, including a photon-counting camera intended for medical diagnostics and autonomous-driving LiDAR sensors, alongside research into quantum security and communications.
Audi plans to split China operations between SAIC-Audi and FAW-Audi
Audi plans to make SAIC-Audi responsible exclusively for its four-letter AUDI electric-vehicle brand in China, while FAW-Audi takes its traditional four-ring models. The restructuring follows falling deliveries and includes a new SAIC-Audi-Audi-Volkswagen R&D joint venture.
AI digital twins help cities model street-level pollution and traffic responses
EU-funded MODELAIR researchers are developing AI-powered 3D digital twins that combine sensor data, simulations and weather forecasts to predict street-level pollution in real time. Trials in Brussels, Madrid and Bristol will support traffic planning, monitoring and local pollution controls.
Advanced materials could improve electric-motor efficiency
EU-funded researchers have developed cobalt-free metallic-glass alloys and a laser 3D-printing process for electric-motor components. The work could cut energy losses, reduce critical-material use and eventually improve motor efficiency by up to 5%, although industrial-scale production remains challenging.
European consortium launches HiPower 5.0 power-electronics project
A 45-partner European consortium is developing GaN and SiC power electronics for electric mobility. HiPower 5.0 targets more efficient, compact and durable inverters, predictive health management and lifecycle sustainability across automotive and maritime applications.
Chery plans 2027 real-world tests for solid-state batteries
Chery will begin vehicle verification of solid-state batteries in 2027, following development of cells reaching 400 Wh/kg. The automaker plans to invest 10 billion yuan in the technology and will start installing semi-solid battery packs in vehicles in late 2026.
China-led solid-state EV battery standard process advances as pilot lines scale
The IEC has approved a China-led proposal to develop an international solid-state EV battery standard. New Chinese tax rules, pilot-line activity and prototype testing show technical progress, but commercial-scale production remains several years away.
AGL GSoC projects target AI cameras, Bluetooth and LiDAR perception
Automotive Grade Linux’s 2026 Google Summer of Code projects include an AI-enabled multi-camera backup system, a modern BlueZ Bluetooth integration and ROS2-based simulated LiDAR perception using CARLA and embedded hardware.
Sydney Metro completes Southwest line trial running
Sydney Metro has completed five weeks of trial running on the Southwest line, testing more than 130 operational scenarios. Further driverless-train testing and independent regulatory assessment will precede accreditation and the line’s opening.
BERTHA validates secure data-sharing infrastructure for connected automated driving research
The BERTHA CCAM project has developed and validated a scalable data-sharing infrastructure using Apache NiFi and Kubernetes. Secure transfer protocols, controlled access and data governance support consortium collaboration, while migration to the Phoenix cluster is intended to preserve research datasets and tools beyond the project’s funding period
Volvo CE tests electric EC500 excavator in Norway
Volvo Construction Equipment has begun customer testing its 50-tonne EC500 Electric pre-build excavator in Norway. The machine combines onboard battery power with grid connection via a 35-metre cable reel, with sales expected from spring 2027 and serial deliveries by year-end 2027.
FMCSA prepares 2027 pilots for more flexible truck driver hours
FMCSA has completed pre-tests for pilots examining flexible sleeper-berth rules and pauses to drivers’ 14-hour clocks. Full programmes are planned for 2027, with up to 512 truck drivers participating across the two studies.
Hongqi develops perovskite solar sunroof prototype for electric SUV
FAW Hongqi has developed a perovskite photovoltaic sunroof prototype for its EHS7 electric SUV. The 300W system is designed to generate about 400kWh annually, while future body-integrated panels could provide up to 80km of daily driving range.
Chinese team develops lithium-metal pouch cells exceeding 600 Wh/kg
Tianmushan Lab and Tsinghua University have developed lithium-metal pouch cells achieving up to 602.5 Wh/kg in laboratory tests. The electrolyte design improved high-voltage stability and dendrite suppression, although further development is needed before commercial production.
Research finds EV fires behave similarly to petrol and diesel vehicle fires
UL Research Institutes’ three-year study found EV and internal-combustion vehicle fires had similar growth, peak size and duration. Water controlled cabin fires, but could not stop battery thermal runaway, while fire blankets posed explosion risks in confined spaces.
