17. December 2025 | Press releases:

New perspectives for autonomous driving Lower Saxony develops intelligent transport infrastructure with AI-supported environmental perception

Joint press release from Dream Chip Technologies GmbH, HILYNX GmbH and Technische Universität Braunschweig

A consortium of research and industry partners is launching the pioneering project ‘AI3nfrastructure – AI-based interoperable infrastructure for autonomous mobility’ to improve the safety and efficiency of autonomous vehicles in road traffic. The aim is to develop an AI-based, infrastructure-supported perception solution that eliminates blind spots and makes autonomous mobility in urban and rural areas more reliable. Technische Universität Braunschweig’s Institute of Automotive Engineering is providing scientific support for the project and is also supplying the RAION passenger shuttle and the planned infrastructure masts. Dream Chip Technologies GmbH (Garbsen) and Hilynx GmbH (Braunschweig) are contributing their expertise and experience in the field of camera-based systems for environment detection and requirements engineering, among other things. The two-year project has a total volume of €1.98 million, of which NBank is providing around €1.1 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Autonomous vehicles have so far reached their limits, particularly in complex traffic situations – for example, due to shadows cast by other vehicles, buildings or obstacles. This is precisely where the new research project comes in: strategically placed camera sensor masts, for example at intersections or stops, will capture the environment from an external perspective and share it with autonomous vehicles in real time. This additional source of information significantly improves situation assessment and creates the basis for the safe and traffic-efficient operation of autonomous public transport vehicles.

Holistic development approach – from microelectronics to market readiness

A unique feature of the project is its holistic approach: microelectronics developed in Lower Saxony, including customised chip design, are combined with computationally optimised AI algorithms and standardised V2X communication protocols. The result is a cost-efficient, interoperable and marketable product that can be flexibly integrated into various urban and rural infrastructures.

Another outstanding technical feature of the project is the innovative self-calibration of the sensor technology. This significantly reduces installation and maintenance costs and ensures that the systems function optimally even when the location changes or environmental conditions vary.

Implementation will take place in three phases:

  1. System design and simulation,
  2. Testing in a controlled environment,
  3. Testing in real traffic conditions.

In the final project phase, the system will be tested in conjunction with an autonomous Level 4 e-shuttle – embedded in the long-term vision of autonomous regular operation in the Braunschweig urban area, which is to be extended to the entire state of Lower Saxony in the future.

Strong partnership for the mobility of tomorrow

The project combines strong expertise from industry and research:

  • HILYNX is responsible for requirements engineering and system integration – with a focus on marketability and scalability.
  • Dream Chip Technologies contributes its expertise in camera-based environment detection and hardware development and adapts existing technologies for infrastructure use.
  • The Institute of Automotive Engineering at Technische Universität Braunschweig is driving forward real-world testing with its autonomous Level 4 shuttle demonstrator RAION and is responsible for the scientific support of the project.

Together, the partners are laying the foundation for a safe, efficient and interoperable transport infrastructure that will enable the widespread use of autonomous vehicles.

About the project partners:

Dream Chip Technologies

Dream Chip Technologies GmbH (DCT), headquartered in Garbsen in the Hanover region, is Germany’s largest independent chip design company with customers from all industrial sectors. DCT is known for camera-based solutions and image signal processing as well as chip design. Among other things, DCT has an embedded platform that is suitable for automotive and industrial applications. This platform consists of camera interfaces, DCT’s proprietary image signal processor, an AI environment, processor units, a DSP unit and output interfaces such as PCIe, Ethernet and MIPI. This platform is ideal for camera and AI-based edge solutions.

HILYNX GmbH

HILYNX GmbH was founded in 2023 with the aim of developing, implementing and successfully marketing highly innovative and technologically sophisticated products. As a technology-oriented company based in Lower Saxony, HILYNX works at the interface between research, development and commercialisation. The focus is on the development of system solutions in the fields of artificial intelligence, embedded systems and digital infrastructures applied to the domains of mobility, aerospace and digital identities. HILYNX contributes technological and methodological expertise in areas such as system architecture, software development, hardware integration and validation. In the context of commercialisation, the focus is on business model development and the distribution of highly innovative products. The team consists of nine highly qualified employees with interdisciplinary backgrounds, combining experience from high-tech start-ups, industry and application-oriented research.

Institute for Vehicle Technology (IfF) at Technische Universität Braunschweig

The Institute for Vehicle Technology (IfF) at TU Braunschweig develops and tests automated and autonomous vehicles, bringing together all the necessary interdisciplinary core competencies – from its own (AI-based) driving software and networking to testing in real traffic. The IfF operates various specially built vehicle demonstrators for application scenarios such as highway and city pilot systems as well as driverless shuttle and logistics operations. Another focus is automated valet parking (AVP), in which the institute has many years of expertise in infrastructure-based environment detection and control. The Braunschweig research car park provides an interactive testing and certification environment with installed infrastructure sensor technology. The IfF is a member of the Lower Saxony Research Centre for Vehicle Technology (NFF) and is responsible for the research field of ‘automated and connected driving’.