Information Webinar on NAVISP EL2 & EL3 Thematic Window: Ubiquitous PNT for Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM) for more efficient, safe, and sustainable roads and vehicles

Last Updated: 20/10/2022 07:56     Created at: 20/10/2022 07:45

On 18th October 2022, ESA held an Information Webinar about the recently launched NAVISP Thematic Window on “Ubiquitous PNT for Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM) for more efficient, safe, and sustainable roads and vehicles”. This Thematic Window supports Element 2 and Element 3 activities, accelerating the transition to a more connected, automated and sustainable transport sector. These activities will contribute towards decarbonization, reducing the emissions caused by mobility to address climate challenges in line with the ESA strategy “Space for a Green Future”. The objectives for the Thematic Window have been defined in collaboration with ERTICO (European Road Transport Telematics Implementation Coordination) following the recently signed Memorandum of Intent between ERTICO and ESA and will connect different sectors working towards intelligent road transport systems, including both space and non-space actors. These objectives also align with the EU agenda for safe, clean and connected mobility.

More than 100 participants joined the Webinar, in which the Agency presented the scope of this Thematic Window, as well as the application process. Presentations on the societal and environmental benefits of CCAM, on the public perspectives and on scaling up CCAM innovation were presented by experts from the organisations ERTICO, the Centre of Excellence ExEmerge (Italy) and the Satellite Applications Catapult (UK). The NAVISP team outlined the PNT opportunities within CCAM to address the current challenges for vehicles and infrastructure, highlighting where innovation is needed to achieve ubiquitous and high performance PNT, 360-degree vehicular perception, PNT monitoring and over-the-air-updates, clean mobility infrastructure and safety testing. 

PNT is one of the largest key technology enablers for CCAM, alongside remote sensing and telecommunications, in terms of both innovative research and market size. The broad scope of the Thematic Window will support the use of PNT with established and emergent technologies such as edge computing, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things and cyber security for the development and commercialization of sustainable products targeted towards the road-based transport sector. Leveraging signals of opportunity (SoOP) for PNT which are complementary to GNSS, such as 5G-based positioning and other satellite communication networks, will increase the robustness and availability of communication and lead to cost effective, ubiquitous connectivity solutions and services for CCAM. 

An active discussion during the Q&A session raised the importance of accurate and resilient timing validated by real-time PNT monitoring, and the vital need to prioritize safety and security, leading towards greater public acceptance of CCAM. The relevance of testbeds, digital twinning and trials to validate new technologies such as AI were discussed. Future market trends were predicted towards value added services, which will provide commercial opportunities for companies and enhance the consumer experience in mobility. 

The presentations from this Information Webinar can be found here.