The Remote Driver project consortium has announced the completion of its development and testing phases, marking a milestone in vehicle teleoperation in Spain. This project demonstrates that current technology enables safe and efficient fleet management through 5G networks, providing real solutions for sectors such as logistics and opening up countless possibilities for the transport of goods and passengers.
Launched in 2023, Remote Driver set out to create a technological infrastructure for remote driving in real-world environments. The project is based on the integration of 5G networks, driving simulators, and computer vision systems powered by Artificial Intelligence, allowing an operator to manage vehicles from a control center. One of the key competitive advantages of this model is productivity optimization: the system enables a single driver to take control of multiple vehicles sequentially. By connecting to and disconnecting from different units based on demand, idle travel time for personnel is eliminated, providing unprecedented operational flexibility in logistics.
The results of the final tests have validated the system with a significant technical milestone: a driver located in Valencia remotely operated a sensor-equipped Volkswagen Golf at the CTAG test track in Galicia. CT Engineering led the development of the route, vehicle, and driver management system—a tool that serves as the organizational core of the fleet. This system allows task assignment, real-time monitoring of each unit’s status, and incident resolution based on incoming alerts. To ensure precise operation, CT Engineering’s software has been integrated with Brainstorm’s driving simulator, enabling synchronized signal exchange that instantly and scalably connects the command and control station, the simulator, and the physical vehicle’s sensors.
Regarding the system architecture and responsiveness, Santiago Ferrer, Systems Project Manager at CT Engineering, highlights: “The most critical aspect for the team in this project has been achieving seamless integration between the driving simulator and the real vehicle. A scalable system has been developed capable of managing a large number of vehicles and routes simultaneously, ensuring that the control center can respond to any incident in real time.”
To ensure smooth and safe driving, the project leveraged the 5G infrastructure of UC3M and UPM, achieving minimal latency that enables reactions in milliseconds. With these results, CT Engineering strengthens its commitment to connected mobility alongside its partners Nokia, CTAG, Brainstorm, the Technical University of Madrid, and Carlos III University of Madrid, establishing a solid technological foundation for the future implementation of remote driving services in freight transport, passenger transport, and a wide range of urban logistics services.