In-wheel motors (IWMs) have become a mature technology that is well-suited for new user-centric electric vehicles (EVs). IWMs can be integrated in multi-functional and controllable modules consisting of the electric powertrain, friction brake and suspension/steering actuation. By combining several vehicle functionalities in a compact solution, the modules offer substantial opportunities to enhance the design and the operation of EVs. This is the starting point of the SmartCorners project. Using machine learning and AI, an adaptive multilayer control strategy will be implemented with historical and current data from the vehicle, its environment, and users, including relevant EV fleets. This approach will pave the way toward software-defined vehicles, ena-bling rightsizing, holistic optimisation, innovative fault mitigation and actuator allocation strategies as well as more efficient, adaptive, predictive, and personalised system operation. SmartCorners will bring a so far un-explored authority level over: i) vehicle design, through skateboard-like chassis configurations; ii) energy management aspects, covering pre-conditioning and predictive thermal management during EV operation; iii) comfort and functional aspects, in terms of user-centric cabin thermal management, and pre-emptive vehicle body control; and iv) dismantling process and recycling of the vehicle. The development and industrialization of the project outcomes will be accelerated by comprehensive and integrated simulation, design and validation methodologies to decrease development time and cost, and support the uptake of AI-based solutions. In con-clusion, SmartCorners will provide a significant competitive advantage of the European industry and contrib-ute to achieve key strategic orientations C and A of the EU Strategic Plan.

Focused on BEV architectures with distributed multiple wheel drives, and, specifically, in-wheel powertrains, HighScape will explore the feasibility of a family of highly efficient power electronics components and systems, and including integrated traction inverters, on-board chargers, DC/DC converters, and electric drives for auxiliaries and actuators. The proposed solutions will be assessed on test rigs and on two differently sized BEV prototypes. The project will result in: i) component integration with the incorporation of the WBG traction inverters within the in-wheel machines to achieve zero footprint of the electric powertrain on the sprung mass; the functional integration of the traction inverter with the on-board charger, and the incorporation of the latter and the DC/DC converters within the battery pack; and the implementation of multi-motor and fault-tolerant inverter solutions for the auxiliaries and chassis actuators; ii) novel solutions, including the implementation of reconfigurable winding topologies of the drive, as well as integrated and predictive thermal management at the vehicle level, with the adoption of phase changing materials within the power electronics components; iii) the achievement and demonstration of significantly higher levels of power density, specific power and energy efficiency for the resulting power electronics systems and related drives; iv) major cost reductions thanks to the dual use of parts, subsystem modularity, and model-based design to eliminate overengineering; and v) increased dependability and reliability of the power electronics systems, enabled by design and intelligent predictive health monitoring algorithms. Through HighScape, the participants will establish new knowledge and industrial leadership in key digital technologies, and, therefore, directly contribute to Europe’s Key Strategic Orientations as well as actively support the transformation towards zero tailpipe emission road mobility (2Zero).

The Mediterranean Sea and its surrounding regions support a diverse variety of essential socioeconomic activities. It is one of the highly exploited water ways and the influence of anthropogenic activities on its marine habitats and ecosystems has grown significantly since the industrial revolution. Because of this, the Mediterranean Sea basin is very vulnerable to chemical contamination and buildup. To safeguard the Mediterranean Sea basin from contaminants for emerging concerns (CoEC), iMERMAID will integrate, coordinate, and synergize innovative preventive, monitoring, and remediation solutions. iMERMAID will build an evidence-based multidimensional framework that will guide policymaking and transform societal perceptions to reduce CoEC usage, emissions, and pollution. Furthermore, next generation sensor and remediation solutions will be developed within iMERMAID to monitor and remove prioritized chemicals from its source while reducing upstream pollution. iMERMAID builds an ideal interdisciplinary team by bringing together prominent SMEs, researchers, regulators, and innovation professionals who have been essential in improving the knowledge and awareness of CoEC. Beyond state-of-the-art techniques, iMERMAID will strive to strengthen regulations against CoEC, expand economic possibilities and competitiveness, improve the standard of living for EU residents, while preventing the accumulation of chemical pollution in the Mediterranean Sea basin. iMERMAID will empower the efforts to create a zero pollution, contaminant free waters by enabling the Chemical Strategy's goals to become a practical reality.

The CODE4EV project aims to accelerate the development of electric software-defined vehicles (SDVs) by establishing a collaborative development framework. This framework will support the design, production and operational phases of electric vehicles (EVs) by demonstrating its application through selected Use Cases relevant to emerging and future SDV architectures. The project key objectives include the elaboration of digital design tools and a trustworthy development methodology for electric SDVs, improving the efficiency and reliability of SDV architecture component sharing, and accelerating validation processes. The project also focuses on the implementation of a model-based design, the development of a symbolic ontology knowledge database, and the migration from rapid prototyping environments to automotive SW environments to improve development processes and compliance with industry standards. In addition, CODE4EV aims to provide multi-layered benefits throughout the design, production and operational phases of EVs. This includes methods for defining the SDV architecture, real-time runtime virtualisation approaches, and developing modular HW architectures to optimise data usage. The project Use Cases will demonstrate the implementation of the collaborative development framework, such as data-driven EV optimisation, health monitoring and predictive maintenance, and smart motion control. These Use Cases aim to demonstrate improvements in energy consumption, component life extension and overall vehicle performance. CODE4EV plans to develop virtual, hybrid and full-scale demonstrators of electric SDVs for different vehicle categories, focusing on efficient verification procedures and the evaluation of the scalability of the CODE4EV approach. These efforts aim to ensure compatibility and efficiency for a range of vehicle types, including heavy-duty trucks and L-class EVs, thereby making an important contribution to the promotion of zero-emission mobility solutions.

Major disasters (e.g., Ponte Morandi, 2018) highlighted the critical condition of many European civil infrastructures due to inadequate maintenance, unforeseen operating conditions, and extended usage. Regular inspections of all types of infrastructures are essential to assess their health, guide maintenance and repair, and extend service life. SARAH adopts a human-centred approach to develop a safe-by-design integrated digital solution that supports maintenance and repair decision and planning, order, intervention and reporting. Leveraging metaverse technologies and egocentric augmented reality solutions, the system empowers infrastructure supervisors and intervention workers by providing real-time assistance, fostering skill development, and improving their Occupational Safety and Health. The solution, rooted in Human Factors: a/ identifies issues in civil infrastructures in a rapid, cost-effective and safe manner thanks to innovative sensors deployed on-site (corrosion, soil nail and anchor, structural crack) possibly via an unmanned aerial system (load up to 1kg); b/ fastly and accurately assesses the needs for repair (98 % of issues properly ranked) using a Digital Twin of the infrastructure able to run in real-time (reduced order, automatic continuous calibration) and proposes prioritised timely interventions, considering risk assessment using a Decision Support Engine (80% ad hoc correct advice for inspections); c/ launches extra inspections (either with autonomous aerial system or human), and provides remote support to the intervention workers (80% satisfaction, evaluated via interviews); d/ delivers certification report generated using generative AI, after intervention and repair (at least 2 types of reports generated). With this approach, SARAH offers a game changer for infrastructure inspection, maintenance and repair.