With the support of the National Media and Telecommunications Authority, the Professional Demonstration Day was organised by Széchenyi István University’s Vehicle Industry Research Centre and ZalaZONE Science Park on 5 December 2023. During the demonstration participants could witness a development team from the Vehicle Industry Research Centre controlling an experimental autonomous vehicle on the ZalaZONE proving ground remotely from the laboratory at the campus of Széchenyi István University in Győr using a 5G Campus mobile network. In the course of this demonstration project, the vehicle drove through the university test track module at the Zalaegerszeg based ZalaZONE automotive test track under the supervision of a safety driver, because they had to take into account the current Hungarian legal environment rules. With the 5G network communication playing a key role in the demonstration, the stable availability of the network and the provision of the necessary resources, such as data bandwidth and low latency, were crucial for remote control and safe operation of the vehicle. Direct control of the car was delivered by the on-board unit, based on commands received over the 5G mobile network, with so-called CAN messages that controlled the car. In parallel, the image from the vehicle’s roof-mounted camera was transmitted with low latency back to the university campus in Győr, thus allowing the operator to have full control of the car. The ‘driver’, sitting “as the crow flies” more than 100 kilometres away from the vehicle, was also assisted by the tracks virtual visualisation or digital twin based on the data sent by the very precise GPS system and the continuous feedback of the vehicle’s steering angle and pedal status.
During the event at the ZalaZONE test track, visitors were able to gain an insight into the process of developing and testing self-driving vehicles using 5G technologies through witnessing this research demonstration.
The aim of the Professional Demonstration Day was to inspire young people to get passionate about technology and get involved in the automotive industry, while also showcasing the exciting status of current and future 5G technologies and their impact on self-driving vehicles.
Wrapping up the demonstration, participants watched a presentation on the “Pathway to Higher Education,” a career guidance programme as well as witnessed the commencement ceremony for students who successfully completed the special training modules.
The National Media and Telecommunications Authority was the main professional partner of the event.
