In recent years, Hungary has started to emerge as a powerhouse in the global autonomous driving industry. Fueled by domestic innovation and a skilled workforce, the central European country has seen startups and autonomous driving companies attract significant investment and develop technologies and solutions that become the backbone of the autonomous driving revolution.
All this has been driven by a mix of innovative domestic companies like AiMotive and Commsignia and established industry players such as German company Continental Automotive, which has several manufacturing units in the country, as well as a Deep Competence Center Machine Learning in the capital of Budapest.
The country also saw the formation of RECAR (Autonomous Road Vehicle Research Center) – a broad organization that aims to bridge academic and industrial knowledge, integrating education and research, enabling the training of highly qualified professionals and strengthening the foundations of research and of development.
The center uses laboratories across four levels for autonomous vehicle education and research, housing tools and devices in larger halls and nearly 20 smaller laboratories. In addition to its advanced laboratories, the center hosts programs offering specialized training in autonomous vehicle technology, aimed at improving students’ skills and knowledge in this area.
The crucial role of national companies
Among the country’s innovation leaders, AiMotive stands out. Founded in 2015, this Hungarian startup has become a leading force in the automated driving sector in Europe. complaints to house one of the largest AI research teams in Europe. Founded by CEO Laszlo Kinhoti, who has extensive experience in graphics performance measurement software, the company now has more than 200 employees working in offices in the United States, Japan, Hungary and Germany.
AiMotive’s comprehensive approach, encompassing software, simulation and hardware platforms, has solidified its position as a trusted automotive supplier in the global market, with strategic investors such as Robert Bosch Venture Capital, B Capital Group , Prime Ventures, Inventure and Samsung Catalyst Fund. .
Its solutions, including the aiDrive software stack and the aiWare dedicated neural network accelerator, have been recognized by a technology giant like Sony, with the aiDrive software stack serving as the basis for Sony’s revolutionary vehicle prototype, the VISION-S.
The company is also one of the most funded automated driving software providers in Europe, with total funding of $75 million. In late 2022, AiMotive was acquired by automotive giant Stellantis and now operates as one of its subsidiaries.
In the field of connected cars and Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology, another Hungarian company, Commsignia, stands out. Established in 2012 by industry experts, Commsignia is at the forefront of V2X technology research and applications. Today, the company has more than 140 employees worldwide and is present in automotive hubs such as the United States, South Korea and Germany.
With a focus on traffic safety and efficiency, Commsignia’s solutions aim to bridge the gap between vehicles and infrastructure, creating a seamless communications network. Last month, the company announcement a $15 million Series B funding round featuring investors such as Budapest-based Day One Capital, Credo Ventures, LG Electronics, Samsung Catalyst Fund and Qualcomm Ventures, among others.
The company’s hardware and software solutions have paved the way for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Commsignia is also a pioneer with its connectivity platform that integrates with various automotive sensors, applications and everyday technologies.
According to Csaba Kákosy of Day One Capital, an early-stage technology investor who has worked with both companies since 2016, the success of both companies is a testament to the work that industry experts have done over the past decade.
“Commsignia and aiMotive, with more than 90 patents, are key players in the development of smart mobility in Hungary, demonstrating the country’s innovation potential. However, it is crucial to recognize that advancements in automotive technology require time and patience, not only from companies but also from investors. The industry’s long sales cycles require a strong commitment to long-term goals,” Kákosy tells The Recursive.
The future of autonomous driving in Hungary
The rise of these domestic companies speaks to Hungary’s position as a technological innovator, which in the long term promises to position the country and its ecosystem as a hub for autonomous driving, experts say.
“With its strong automotive industry, Hungary provides fertile ground for autonomous driving innovations, highlighted by the country’s excellent STEM education and a rich talent pool in machine learning. This combination, together with the talent pool who have gained experience working for some of the already successful scale-ups (e.g. NNG, Commsignia, aiMotive), uniquely positions Hungary as a booming hub for the development of cutting-edge technologies in mobility and autonomous driving”, Csongor Bias. , general director of Startup Hungary, tells The Recursive.
The evolution of the global automotive sector is expected to accelerate over the next five to ten years and Hungary can use this to its advantage and become an unconventional automotive powerhouse.
“Although Hungary is not a traditional automotive powerhouse, unlike almost all Central European countries, which all have their own national brands and manufacturing industries, there are now three Hungarian companies – AiMotive, NNG and Commsignia – which have already become major global players in the field. automobile industry. And even though these companies don’t make cars, they focus on intellectual property and strive to equip cars with what they don’t have today, and focus on autonomous driving, intelligent solutions and providing enjoyable driving experiences,” Istvan Toth, technology journalist based in Budapest. tells The Recursive.
Additionally, Hungary’s growing reputation as a leading automotive hub also contributes to this.
“Commsignia and aiMotive actively engage with students, providing them with employment opportunities, often leading to full-time contracts. Furthermore, Hungary’s status as an automotive hub constitutes a significant advantage. With the presence of many leading automotive OEMs in the country, students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and exposure to cutting-edge technologies through internships and academic programs,” explains Kákosy.
Furthermore, he highlights that this concrete commitment within the automotive industry helps foster a well-prepared talent pool for the smart mobility sector.
