"We want to introduce the representatives of the Ministry of Transport to the range of activities of VŠB-TUO in the field of connected, cooperative and autonomous mobility, to show them how we develop cooperation with industry and that our workplaces are truly at the top level. We focus on both basic and applied research, development and innovation," said Petr Šimoník, Vice Dean for Cooperation with Industry and Head of the Mobility Lab.

The programme included a presentation of the University's activities related to the automotive industry, including the SMARAGD strategy, the REFRESH project, the introduction of the CPIT-TL3 testbed and the planned construction of the CPIT-TL4 testbed, which will include a driving test polygon.

The delegation also visited the Student Car Lab at FMT, where they focus on vehicle and component design and prototyping of advanced systems. "Our lab is unique in that we combine knowledge of materials with design, which makes our products much more attractive," said Zapletal.

The Mobility Lab and Signal Lab (FEECS) activities, the development and use of Drive-by-Wire, research and development of C-ITS and C-CAM, driver behaviour analysis, research on software-defined vehicles or advanced signal processing methods using AI were presented to the ministry representatives. There were also practical demonstrations of systems developed in the Mobility Lab.

During the workshop, new research directions, cooperation and possibilities of support from the Ministry of Transport were discussed. "We were very pleasantly surprised by the extent to which the various activities are underway. Because very often the topic of autonomous mobility is talked about as something that is just beginning. In Ostrava, we see that many things are not only being developed and tested, but thanks to cooperation with the private sector and other partners, these projects are being put into practice," said Tereza Čížková, Head of the Department of New Technologies in Transport at the Ministry of Transport.

The Ministry is currently addressing the topic of strategic development of new smart technologies in transport and related legislation. "We are interested in and following the outputs of various research projects, which is also the case of the University of Science and Tech.

During the workshop, new research directions, cooperation and possibilities of support from the Ministry of Transport were discussed. "We were very pleasantly surprised by the extent to which the various activities are underway. Because very often the topic of autonomous mobility is talked about as something that is just beginning. In Ostrava, we see that many things are not only being developed and tested, but thanks to cooperation with the private sector and other partners, these projects are being put into practice," said Tereza Čížková, Head of the Department of New Technologies in Transport at the Ministry of Transport.

The Ministry is currently addressing the topic of strategic development of new smart technologies in transport and related legislation. "We are interested in and following the outputs of various research projects, which is also the case of the University of Science and Technology, which can help us to set up a good legislative framework," Čížková added.