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The i2CAT Research Centre, one of the most relevant players in technological innovation in mobility in Southern Europe, and Applus+ IDIADA, a company specialising in engineering, testing and homologation services for the automotive sector, have signed a new strategic collaboration agreement to define a joint research roadmap and carry out R&D&I activities in the field of cooperative, connected and automated mobility (CCAM).
i2CAT is thus consolidated as a strategic partner and reference research centre in the field of CCAM and autonomous vehicles for Applus+ IDIADA. Within the framework of this collaboration, the multinational company will make an annual financial contribution to i2CAT, specifically aimed at supporting the development of advanced research activities in this field. This commitment between two entities with strong roots in the territory contributes to strengthening the local ecosystem of innovation in smart mobility, while enhancing the company’s international positioning as a benchmark in the development of leading solutions in the field of CCAM.
From left to right: Marc Guerrero, Head of Mobility – Innovation & Business at i2CAT; Abel Carbonell, Head of Electronics at Applus+ IDIADA; Ana Moliner, Director – Innovation Business Development Department & Strategy at i2CAT; Josep Maria Farran, CEO of Applus+ IDIADA, and Sergi Figuerola, PhD, Director of i2CAT.
Both i2CAT and Applus+ IDIADA will continue to collaborate and explore new joint opportunities in the field of cooperative, connected, and autonomous mobility. Through this agreement, the aim is to establish a common framework for promoting research, development, and innovation activities in engineering applied to the automotive industry. The most relevant action will be the implementation of joint technological development and validation projects, which will enable progress towards innovative solutions in the field of connected vehicles. In addition, the agreement envisions other lines of collaboration, including the preparation of joint initiatives and participation in promotional activities related to research and innovation, all in a spirit of open cooperation and alignment with the strategic objectives of both entities.
Both organisations already have a history of shared initiatives, which, in recent years, have resulted in joint innovation projects, especially in the field of vehicle-infrastructure cooperation. Facilitating this cooperation allows not only ensuring communications in dense traffic environments, but also anticipating critical situations and coordinating assisted or autonomous driving intentions. This approach is crucial for enhancing the safety and efficiency of mobility in both urban and interurban environments.
In addition, i2CAT and Applus+ IDIADA also collaborate in European and national innovation projects such as 6GTWINROAD, framed in the UNICO programme, promoted by the Spanish Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Administration in the framework of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan and funded by the European Union Next Generation EU; PODIUM, and TARGET-X, sponsored by the Horizon Europe programme of the European Commission.
The director of i2CAT, Sergi Figuerola, PhD, stressed that “with this agreement, we assume the commitment and leadership to value the research and innovation that we have been promoting, joining forces in a common front to strengthen the ecosystem and competitiveness of Catalonia in the field of connected, cooperative and autonomous vehicles”.
Applus+ IDIADA CEO Josep Maria Farran says: “At IDIADA, we are developing pioneering vehicle and infrastructure connectivity solutions that are transforming the future of mobility. Our collaboration with i2CAT allows us to accelerate the implementation of advanced technologies in real driving environments, combining our knowledge in automotive engineering with their expertise in communications and digitisation. This type of strategic alliances between leading companies and research centres demonstrate that Catalonia is an innovation ecosystem of international reference in the field of smart mobility, capable of offering technological solutions that respond to the global challenges of sustainability, safety and efficiency in transport.”
