i2CAT and Applus+ IDIADA Strengthen Their Collaboration in Mobility

The i2CAT research center, one of the most relevant technological innovation players in Southern Europe's mobility sector, and Applus+ IDIADA, a company specializing 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 center in the field of connected, cooperative, 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 developing 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 intelligent mobility, while enhancing the international positioning of the company as a reference in the development of leading solutions in the CCAM field.

Both i2CAT and Applus+ IDIADA share the willingness to continue collaborating and exploring new joint opportunities in the field of cooperative, connected, and autonomous mobility. Through this agreement, they aim to establish a common framework to promote applied research, development, and innovation activities in engineering for the automotive industry. The most relevant action will be the implementation of joint projects for technological development and validation, which will allow progress towards innovative solutions in the field of connected vehicles. Additionally, the agreement contemplates other lines of collaboration such as the preparation of common initiatives and participation in promotion activities related to research and innovation, always with a spirit of open collaboration aligned with the strategic objectives of both entities.

Both organizations already have a history of shared initiatives that, in recent years, has resulted in joint innovation projects, especially in the area of cooperation between vehicles and infrastructure. Facilitating this cooperation allows not only to ensure communications in dense traffic environments, but also to anticipate critical situations and coordinate driving intentions in an assisted or autonomous manner. This approach is key to improving safety and efficiency of mobility in both urban and interurban environments.

Furthermore, i2CAT and Applus+ IDIADA also collaborate on European and national innovation projects such as 6GTWINROAD, part of the UNICO program promoted by the Ministry for Digital Transformation and Civil Service within the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan and funded by the European Union Next Generation EU; PODIUM, and TARGET-X, funded by the European Commission's Horizon Europe program.

The director of i2CAT, Dr. Sergi Figuerola, highlighted that “with this agreement, we assume the commitment and leadership to value the research and innovation that we have been promoting, joining efforts in a common front to strengthen the ecosystem and competitiveness of Catalonia in the field of connected, cooperative, and autonomous vehicles.”

The CEO of Applus+ IDIADA, Josep Maria Farran, states that “at IDIADA we are developing pioneering solutions in vehicle and infrastructure connectivity 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 digitalization. This type of strategic alliance between leading companies and research centers demonstrates that Catalonia is an internationally referenced innovation ecosystem in the field of intelligent mobility, capable of offering technological solutions that respond to global challenges of sustainability, safety, and efficiency in transportation.”