The Automotive Industry Research Centre at Széchenyi István University is playing an increasingly important role in the research of autonomous transport systems and electromobility, supported by an internationally renowned laboratory background, test track and equipment in Győr and the ZalaZONE Park in Zalaegerszeg. This was recognised by the National Research, Development and Innovation Office with the award of "Excellent Research Infrastructure".

"Hungary's internationally excellent research infrastructures, in the ecosystem of educational and research institutions that collaborate with them, are key players in the ongoing scientific efforts for success and excellence," said Dr István Szabó, Vice President for Science and International Affairs of the National Research, Development and Innovation Office, in a publication aiming to to showcase the best research infrastructures in Hungary and to highlight the wide range of research and collaboration opportunities available there. He added: "The number of research infrastructures that are world-class in every respect is growing. The volume also includes the Automotive Industry Research Centre of Széchenyi István University, which can now use the title of "Outstanding Research Infrastructure".

The publication underlines that staff of the Automotive Industry Research Centre in the Centre for Autonomous Transport Systems, the e-Mobility Centre, the Industry 4.0-Mobility Robotics Centre and the Artificial Intelligence Centre are working to make the transport of the future uncompromising, safe, simple and sustainable. The research directions will cover current areas such as electromobility, machine learning, environmental sensing, robotics, vehicle simulation, self-driving vehicle management, telecommunications and intelligent transport systems. In addition, the JRC places a strong emphasis on student talent management, ensuring a supply of research talent: research engineers mentor young talent.

SZE’s Automotive Industry Research Centre self-driving car ZalaZONE test track, where significant infrastructural developments also support research (Photo: Csaba József Májer)

"We are proud of this award, for which we are grateful to the National Research, Development and Innovation Office. This is further confirmation that our research and development activities can be carried out with the help of a very modern infrastructure, strengthening the competitiveness of the region. The laboratory facilities and equipment in Győr have been greatly improved in recent years, and the increasingly strong presence of Széchenyi István University in Zalaegerszeg is a great support. The institution is currently developing its science and innovation park in the ZalaZONE park, which supports research and development, education and the activities of our student teams. It is an invaluable opportunity for our staff and students to have access to one of the most modern test tracks in Europe", emphasised Dr Ferenc Szauter, Head of the Automotive Industry Research Centre at Széchenyi István University. He noted that he is particularly proud that they have developed their own lower and upper level vehicle control platform for autonomous vehicle research.

Dr. Ferenc Szauter, Head of SZE’s Automotive Industry Research Centre (Photo: Csaba József Májer)

The Automotive Industry Research Centre works in cooperation with a number of renowned institutions and organisations. Among them, in addition to the already mentioned ZalaZONE, the Computer Technology and Automation Research Institute (SZTAKI), the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, the Eötvös Loránd Research Network, the University of Szeged, the National Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence and the National Laboratory of Autonomous Systems are worth mentioning. Key partners abroad include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States, the Polish Institute of Automotive Transport, the Technical Universities of Vienna, Graz, Cluj, Brno and the University of Transylvania in Brasov.