Spoke 6, the Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAV) section of the National Centre for Sustainable Mobility (MOST), is establishing itself as a leading hub in the development of advanced electric mobility technologies. The focus is on connected and autonomous electric vehicles, showcased during the MOST 2025 event at Rome’s Auditorium della Tecnica, as a result of synergistic collaboration between universities, research centers, and leading industrial players.

Technical Framework and Research Infrastructure

Spoke 6 acts as an integrated platform for research and experimental validation, targeting Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) connectivity, advanced sensor arrays, and assisted driving solutions for electric vehicles. Notable demonstrators included LiDAR-equipped experimental vehicles, prototypes tailored for urban delivery, and self-driving motorcycles, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach covering the automotive sector, off-road, logistics, and maritime applications.[10]

Technology Highlights

  • V2X Connectivity Systems: Developed in partnership with Iveco and Accenture, these systems enable real-time wireless communication between electric vehicles and their environment, enhancing both operational safety and driving efficiency. The technology supports interoperability and dynamic adaptation to varying road and traffic conditions.[10]
  • Advanced Sensing and Perception: Vehicle platforms are configured with LiDAR, radar, and cameras to obtain a three-dimensional representation of the environment, which is essential for robust operation of high-level autonomous systems, particularly in densely populated urban contexts.[10]
  • Sector-Specific Autonomous Platforms: Key developments include the urban delivery prototype created by Poste Italiane with academic support and the Eva Ribelle motorcycle from Politecnico di Milano. Both vehicles are designed for autonomous navigation in complex and specialized settings.[10]
  • Virtual Simulation and Testing: Digital simulation platforms such as SIMULAV, developed by Bylogix, are leveraged to virtually replicate complex operational scenarios, thereby reducing physical testing requirements and development cycles while ensuring stringent safety validation.[10]

Industrial Integration and Systemic Impact

Spoke 6 provides a tangible demonstration of how integrated collaboration—spanning universities, industrial stakeholders, and research institutes—can accelerate the readiness level of electric vehicle technologies. Involvement from firms like Eni, Pirelli, and Spinitalia ensures full supply chain coverage, from novel materials testing and functional component integration to vehicle control software and sustainable business model integration.[10]

The Spoke 6 methodology aims to build a national and international ecosystem for scalable, versatile solutions in the field of connected and autonomous electric vehicles. Multisectoral experimentation extends beyond the automotive industry, with applications in maritime, underwater, and racing environments—underscoring the adaptability of these technological platforms. Integrated safety systems based on cameras, radar, and AI-driven analytics are positioned as core elements for broad deployment.