Call for Flagship Pilot: Large-Scale Demonstrations of CCAM

The program supports large-scale demonstrations of inclusive, user-oriented and well-integrated CCAM systems and services for people and goods; validation of enabling technologies for extending Operational Design Domains (ODDs) and improving perception performance under challenging conditions; identification of technological and societal development needs to accelerate deployment; recommendations for regulatory actions supporting Automated Vehicle deployment; selection of viable business models for continued operation of demonstrated use cases; individual mobility in mixed traffic environments; shared mobility and public transport operations; freight transport and logistics applications; coordination with European CCAM initiatives and support actions; stakeholder engagement across the mobility value chain; assessment of transferability, adaptability and scalability of advanced technologies; public engagement, awareness, education and training activities; regulatory compliance assessment; evaluation of long-term impacts of CCAM integration; vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure cooperation; data-driven scenario identification and sharing; interoperability across vehicle brands, regions and countries; collaboration with the European Software-defined Vehicle initiative; and the integration of Social Sciences and Humanities expertise.

This flagship pilot represents the culmination of activities carried out by the CCAM Partnership since its launch in 2021. The initiative seeks to combine the most promising CCAM use cases with technological advancements developed through the partnership’s research and innovation activities, supporting the transition of connected and automated mobility systems toward wider market deployment.

Projects funded under this call are expected to conduct large-scale demonstrations through Field Operational Tests, Technology Pilots and Living Labs. Demonstrations should build upon advanced and emerging SAE Level 2 systems and progress toward SAE Level 3 and Level 4 functionalities. Activities must be carried out across multiple testing sites and corridors and continue for a minimum duration of twelve months.

The action aims to validate technologies that can extend operational capabilities and improve system performance under poor lighting and adverse weather conditions. Demonstrations should also assess deployment readiness and technological maturity, with particular attention to reliability, security and applicability in real-world environments.

A strong emphasis is placed on understanding user needs and societal expectations. Through co-creative approaches involving users and stakeholders, projects should identify remaining technological and societal barriers and generate evidence that supports broader acceptance and deployment of CCAM solutions.

The call covers demonstrations across three major domains. These include individual mobility in urban, suburban, motorway and rural environments, shared mobility and public transport services supporting end-to-end journeys, and freight transport applications connecting logistics hubs, corridors and terminals through realistic operational scenarios.

Projects are expected to promote sustainable mobility by prioritising environmentally friendly vehicles, particularly electric vehicles, in both project activities and final public demonstrations. Consideration of social factors such as gender, age, social origin and income level is encouraged where relevant.

The proposed actions should work closely with relevant European initiatives and support actions to maximise synergies and knowledge exchange. Broad participation from private and public stakeholders, including mobility operators, infrastructure providers, technology developers, municipalities, transport authorities, research institutions and user groups, is expected throughout the project lifecycle.

Additional activities include public awareness campaigns, education and training programmes, regulatory assessments, interoperability efforts, data-sharing initiatives and collaboration with emerging software-defined vehicle frameworks. Projects should also generate evidence on the long-term impacts of integrating CCAM solutions into mobility systems and provide recommendations for future deployment strategies.

The total funding available under this topic is €100,000,000.

Any legal entity, regardless of its place of establishment, including entities from non-associated third countries and international organisations, may participate provided the relevant Horizon Europe conditions and topic-specific requirements are fulfilled. Beneficiaries and affiliated entities must register in the Participant Register, obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC), and complete the validation process before signing a grant agreement.

For more information, visit EC.