What if automated vehicles could better understand and adapt to the people using them?

This is the vision behind SENSEI, a Horizon Europe project working to make SAE Level 2 and Level 3 automated driving safer, more inclusive and trustworthy through innovative human–technology interaction (HTI) solutions.

But technological innovation alone is not enough. For automated mobility to become a reliable part of our everyday lives, new technologies must also respond to people's needs, expectations and concerns.

As a Societal Readiness Pilot, SENSEI places people at the centre of its research and innovation activities, combining technological development with stakeholder engagement and a strong focus on societal needs.

Since its launch in June 2026, the project has taken its first steps towards this ambition, bringing together European research and industry partners, establishing international connections and engaging with the wider mobility community.

Joining Forces for Societal Readiness:
SENSEI and All4SR

SENSEI's commitment to Societal Readiness extends beyond its own research activities. As part of a wider community of Horizon Europe projects implementing Societal Readiness Pilots, SENSEI has established initial connections with All4SR, a Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Action (CSA) dedicated to supporting the integration of Societal Readiness into European research and innovation. This emerging collaboration represents an opportunity to exchange experiences, share methodologies and learn from other projects exploring how societal considerations can be embedded in technological development. An important milestone in this process will be the All4SR Forum Launch on 3 December 2026, which will bring together projects and stakeholders interested in advancing Societal Readiness across different research and innovation fields. SENSEI will participate in this initiative, contributing to the exchange of knowledge and experiences and strengthening its connections with the wider Societal Readiness community. Through this collaboration, the project aims to contribute to a shared understanding of how research and innovation can become more responsive to societal needs and expectations.

Connecting with AutHUMate

Collaboration is also taking shape within the European automated mobility research community. SENSEI has initiated exchanges with its sister project AutHUMate, another Horizon Europe initiative developing human-centred solutions for safe and trustworthy interactions between users and automated vehicles. Both projects explore complementary challenges related to driver understanding, adaptive interfaces and user training for SAE Level 2 and Level 3 automated driving. As both initiatives are still in their early stages, these exchanges provide an opportunity to share approaches and experiences while research and design choices are taking shape. By joining forces, SENSEI and AutHUMate aim to identify opportunities for collaboration, strengthen knowledge exchange and contribute to a more human-centred future of automated mobility.

Connecting expertise, engaging communities

From international perspectives to local stakeholder involvement

Developing automated mobility solutions that respond to real-world needs requires collaboration beyond the project consortium. This is why SENSEI is bringing together international experts and establishing stakeholder engagement activities across its European demonstration sites, ensuring that different perspectives can contribute to the project's research and innovation journey.

SENSEI Advisory Board Meets for the First Time

On 30 October 2026, SENSEI held the first online meeting of its Advisory Board, bringing together international experts and organizations to support the project's vision of automated vehicles that adapt to people's needs.

During the meeting, project coordinator UNIMORE introduced SENSEI's objectives, its approach to human–technology interaction for SAE Level 2 and 3 automated driving, and its Societal Readiness Pilot.

Discussions also explored the Board's role in supporting the project and identifying opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange and joint visibility.

The Advisory Board brings together representatives from SAE Group, PAVE Europe, iRAP, Deusto Smart Mobility (Spain), Anadolu Isuzu (Türkiye), the University of Tokyo (Japan) and the University of Auckland (New Zealand).

The German Road Safety Council (DVR) and the International Federation of Pedestrians (IFP) are also members of the Board, although they could not attend this first meeting. Connecting experts across time zones, from Europe to Japan and New Zealand, this first meeting marked the beginning of an international, multidisciplinary dialogue on safe, inclusive and human-centred automated mobility.

Through this collaboration, SENSEI aims to strengthen knowledge exchange, gather valuable external perspectives and ensure that technological innovation goes hand in hand with societal needs and expectations.

Bringing local perspectives into the picture: SENSEI Groups of Interest

Alongside its international Advisory Board, SENSEI is working towards establishing Groups of Interest (GOIs) at its four demonstration sites in Germany, Greece, Spain and Türkiye.

These groups will bring together relevant stakeholders to encourage dialogue around the needs, expectations and challenges associated with automated driving technologies.

Their role will be particularly important in supporting SENSEI's Societal Readiness approach, providing opportunities to gather different perspectives and consider societal dimensions such as trust, safety, inclusiveness and usability in the project's demonstration activities.

The establishment of the GOIs is currently underway, representing an important step towards connecting technological development with the people and communities these innovations are intended to benefit.

Bringing automated mobility closer to the public

SENSEI at European Researchers' Night 2026

On 27 September 2026, SENSEI was among the European research initiatives presented during European Researchers' Night in Reggio Emilia Italy, an event dedicated to bringing science and innovation closer to citizens.

At the Tecnopolo di Reggio Emilia, the ICOOR team, alongside the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, showcased research activities contributing to the future of mobility, logistics and industrial systems.

The event offered an opportunity to introduce SENSEI to a wider audience and highlight the importance of developing automated driving technologies that respond to people's needs and expectations.

By participating in public engagement initiatives like European Researchers' Night, SENSEI aims to encourage curiosity, promote dialogue and make research and innovation more accessible to society.

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