Research Projects

EITEL (2025-2026)

Energía Inteligente para todos: un enfoque desde los gobiernos locales

• Type: Proyecto Estatal

• Date/time interval: January 2025 - June 2026

• Funding entity: MINISTERIO PARA LA TRANSFORMACIÓN DIGITAL Y DE LA FUNCIÓN PÚBLICA

SAFE4CAR

Sistema para garantizar condiciones de mínimo riesgo ante fallos de vehículos autónomos: Percepcion para conciencia situacional y simulación del entorno.

• Project Web: Link

La conducción cooperativa, conectada y autónoma constituye actualmente un importante avance tecnológico que influirá y cambiará nuestra movilidad y calidad de vida en el futuro. Aunque ha tenido un importante desarrollo en los últimos años, todavía se encuentran limitaciones para alcanzar los niveles más altos de automatización. En concreto, este proyecto se centra en las condiciones que pueden provocar una desconexión del modo autónomo y cómo debe reaccionar el vehículo. Según los niveles de automatización, en los sistemas por debajo del Nivel 3, los roles de fallback (respaldo ante fallos) ante condiciones que no tenían contempladas o cuando se producen fallos son realizados por los conductores humanos. Sin embargo, en el caso de los niveles 4 y 5, las funciones de fallback ya no pueden ser abordadas por los conductores humanos, sino por el propio sistema autónomo. En este sentido, el objetivo principal del proyecto coordinado consiste en identificar y analizar situaciones de fallo, comportamiento erróneo o potencialmente erróneo, o que no puede manejar un vehículo autónomo, y diseñar estrategias seguras de fallback para garantizar actuaciones de riesgo mínimo en esas circunstancias. El subproyecto Sistema para garantizar condiciones de mínimo riesgo ante fallos de vehículos autónomos: Percepción para conciencia situacional y simulación del entorno se centra en la incorporación en el sistema SAFE4CAR de percepción alrededor del vehículo 360º para detectar e identificar posibles vías de escape ante una situación de Fallback. Se analizarán y simularán los fallos de sensores en fusión sensorial debido a degradación u oclusión parcial de los elementos involucrados en la creación del conocimiento del entorno. Además, se utilizará un simulador avanzado que permita la integración de todos estos sensores y el análisis de la distribución óptima para determinar los elementos de percepción a lo largo de la conducción autónoma y las zonas de posible circulación ante estos fallos. De esta forma, en cooperación con los otros subproyectos, se persigue superar la limitación de los fabricantes, que sólo contemplan la frenada como respuesta de fallback, pero no extienden las posibilidades a cambios de carril o modos degradados. Tampoco se han llegado a aprovechar todas las posibilidades que puede proporcionar una conciencia situacional completa, derivada de la información de los sistemas de percepción y las comunicaciones. Adicionalmente, las actuaciones del vehículo y las medidas de fallback son analizadas desde el punto de vista del factor humano, para comprobar su acercamiento a un comportamiento naturalista, y el grado de aceptación y riesgo percibidos. Esta valoración se realiza sobre vehículos automatizados con unidad de control configurable en la que se incorpora el sistema SAFE4CAR en escenarios de conducción reales que ejemplifiquen las situaciones que conlleven posibles problemas para los sistemas de percepción y toma de decisiones.

• Acrónimo: SAFE4CAR
• Tipo de proyecto: Proyecto Estatal
• Fechas: 01/09/2023 - 31/08/2026
• Entidad financiadora: AGENCIA ESTATAL DE INVESTIGACION (AEI)

SEGVAUTO5G-CM 

SEGVAUTO 5Gen. Innovando para la movilidad del futuro.

• Type: Regional Project

• Date/time interval: 2025-2028

• Funding entity: Comunidad de Madrid

SERVICIO DE RECLUTAMIENTO, CONFIGURACIÓN Y MONITORIZACIÓN DE UN PANEL DE HOGARES VULNERABLES

This research project proposes the creation and maintenance of a dedicated panel of 400 vulnerable households, along with a reserve sample of at least 100 additional homes, based on Spain’s CTE climate zoning. The panel will be representative of households experiencing energy poverty, incorporating gender and racial perspectives, and will prioritize those at risk of social exclusion, in line with the definitions and criteria outlined in the ENPE Strategy and the Energy Poverty Observatory (EPOV) indicators. All selected households must meet at least one official vulnerability criterion. The reserve panel will mirror the characteristics of the main panel to ensure data comparability in case of replacements, which must occur within a one-month timeframe to ensure monitoring continuity. Recruitment will include informed consent and confirmation of availability, and eligibility will be assessed through a preliminary questionnaire. Geographic distribution will aim to reflect national energy poverty patterns, as defined by the MITERD report (2020), and income thresholds based on IPREM will apply. For logistical efficiency, selected households will be located as close as possible geographically to reduce installation costs for monitoring equipment.

• Type: R+D Contract
• Reference: Licitación
• Expediente: CONTR/2021/0598 IDAE
• Date/time interval: June 10, 2022 - April 9, 2026
• Funding entity: UTE EAPN-ES-ACA-CSIC-UC3M 

AI4Driving

Inteligencia Artificial para la colaboración humano-máquina en tareas de conducción

• Project website: Link

In the last decade, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized numerous sectors by enhancing traditional processes and improving result quality through general-purpose technologies. AI encompasses a broad spectrum of tools, such as Expert Systems, Evolutionary Algorithms, automatic planning, and Deep Neural Networks. These methods are increasingly vital in domains like the automotive, transport, and electric power industries, particularly in applications like Autonomous Electric Vehicles (AEVs), Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS), and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, which enables electric cars to return energy to the power grid.

The AI4Driving project focuses on AI integration at two levels: the individual vehicle and the vehicle fleet. At the car level, the project aims to develop driver-centered ADAS that reduce human error by combining data from the driver, vehicle, and environment, with special emphasis on recognizing driver emotions. It also focuses on enhancing user experience in autonomous vehicles by monitoring passenger behavior and expectations using intelligent agents, fuzzy logic, and machine learning techniques.

At the fleet level, the project seeks to develop coordination mechanisms for AEV fleets in mobility services, considering the specific constraints of these vehicles. This includes the use of agent-based simulations, automatic planning, and AI-driven control and optimization. Additionally, the project prioritizes the development of explainable AI to ensure trust in critical applications like AEVs and ADAS. System integration and validation will also be carried out in collaboration with other sub-projects to ensure coherent and practical deployment.

• Type: National Research Project
• Reference: PID2021-124335OB-C22
• Date/time interval: September 1, 2022 - August 31, 2025
• Funding entity: Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) 

SurgeryAI

SurgeryAI-Models:Incorporando herramientas digitales e IA en la cadena de valor de la cirugía. Modelos y herramientas.

• Proyect Web: Link

Project developed through the incorporation of digital tools and artificial intelligence in neurosurgery. Deep neural networks are used for the automatic detection of surgical phases from videos, allowing surgeries to be automatically documented for clinical records, quality control, and training purposes.

The project is complemented by the home monitoring of surgical patients. Self-supervised learning is applied to improve model training and facilitate the integration of new data. Surgical workflow and instruments used in endoscopic transsphenoidal surgeries are automatically analyzed and detected.

• Type: National Research Project
• Reference: PID2021-124335OB-C22
• Date/time interval: September 1, 2022 - August 31, 2025
• Funding entity: Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI)

AMBULATE-CM

New paradigm for emergency transport services management

• Project website: Link

During the COVID-19 pandemic, emergency services—particularly ambulance services—faced an unprecedented surge in demand. This led to a significant deterioration in response times, affecting not only the transport of COVID-19 patients but also those with other serious and urgent conditions.

An effective response to such situations requires coordination among various stakeholders, including the public and health authorities, to mobilize resources and capacities in an efficient and optimal manner. Key considerations include time efficiency, hospital bed availability, patient health and morbidity, all within a legal and regulatory framework that ensures proper implementation.

The overarching goal of the multidisciplinary project AMBULATE-CM is to design an advanced, sustainable, and dynamic solution for ambulance service management during pandemics. This entails developing new strategies and protocols to enable agile, effective, and adaptable ambulance operations, ensuring timely and adequate patient care.

Sistema para la automatización de vehículos de transporte público y compartido destinados a entornos semi-estructurados: Análisis e interpretación del entorno

• Project website: Link
• Funding: Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI)
• Starts – Ends: 2021 – 2023.

Autonomous vehicles represent one of the most significant innovations in the automotive industry today, attracting strong interest from both the public and private sectors. This project focuses on developing autonomous mobility solutions for collective transport, aiming to promote sustainable modes of transportation with support from public authorities, manufacturers, and users. The proposed solution involves autonomous shuttles designed for diverse environments such as urban centers, campuses, hospitals, and parks, helping to improve public transport and expand services to underserved areas. A research team from three Madrid universities is working to deliver a pre-industrial system that can fully automate conventionally driven vehicles, enabling their use in public transport. The system addresses perception and control, reducing technological entry barriers and facilitating the adoption of connected and automated driving technologies by interested manufacturers.

• Referencia:PDC2021-121517-C31, PDC2021-121517-C32, PDC2021-121517-C33
• Programa: Programa Estatal de I+D+i Orientado a los Retos de la Sociedad «Prueba de Concepto» 2021 – Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI)
• Título: Proyecto I+D+i «Prueba de Concepto» 2021: Sistema para la automatización de vehículos de transporte público y compartido destinados a entornos semiestructurados. Análisis e interpretación del entorno, Automatización y conectividad, Sistemas de control
• Investigador: Jose María Armingol Moreno, Araceli Sanchis de Miguel, Felipe Jiménez Alonso, José Eugenio Naranjo Hernández, Javier Fernandez Andrés, Nourdine Aliane
• Entidad beneficiaria: Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Universidad Europea de Madrid S.A.
• Área temática: Energía y Transporte (EYT)
• Duración: 2 años

EPIU Getafe

Energency Poverty Intelligence Unit – EPIU Getafe

• Project website: Link

EPIU Getafe is a European project under the Urban Innovative Actions (UIA) program of the European Commission, led by the City Council of Getafe. Its aim is to identify and reduce energy poverty in two vulnerable neighborhoods—La Alhóndiga and Las Margaritas—recognized as critical urban renewal areas. The project seeks to create healthier homes through an Intelligent Energy Poverty Unit that detects households at risk and provides tailored solutions. While developed in Getafe, the goal is to scale the model to other cities in Spain and Europe, improving residents' quality of life and comfort. The project also raises public awareness about the environmental, economic, and health impacts of poor energy performance in buildings and provides guidance on available public services and actionable measures.

• Reference: UIA04-212
• Funding: European Research Project
• Participants: Entidades participantes: Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Universidad de Alcalá de Henares, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas
• Starts – Ends: 2019 – 2022

PEAVAUTO 

Percepción Avanzada para Vehículos Autónomos

Interdisciplinary R&D project that has provided innovative solutions for analyzing driving environment information using advanced sensing and simulation technologies. The Principal Investigators (PIs) of this project were José Antonio Iglesias Martínez (Department of Computer Science) and Fernando García Fernández (Department of Systems Engineering and Automation).

• Project Web: Link
• Reference: PEAVAUTO-CM-UC3M – 2020/00036/001
• Funding: Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
• Participants: Universidad Carlos III de Madrid(Dpto. de Informática y Dpto. de Ingeniería de Sistemas y Automática).
  Starts – Ends: 2019 – 2022

HUMATONOMOUS

Human-driven and autonomous vehicles integration. 

• Project website: Link

Subproject forming part of the coordinated project Integration of Electric Autonomous Vehicles in Urban Environments (i-Urbe).

Subproyecto que forma parte del proyecto coordinado Integración de vehículos autónomos eléctricos en entornos urbanos (i-Urbe).

• Reference: RTI2018-096036-B-C22
• Funding: Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades
• Participants: Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
• Starts – Ends: 2019 – 2021

SEGVAUTO-4.0-CM

Seguridad de Vehículos para una Movilidad Inteligente, Sostenible, Segura e Integradora.

• Reference: TRA2016-78886-C3-1-R

• Funding: Community of Madrid

• Participants: Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Universidad de Alcalá de Henares, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas

• Starts – Ends: 2019 – 2022

CAV (2017-2019)

Integración de sistemas cooperativos para vehículos autónomos en trafico compartido: Análisis del entorno de conducción.

• Reference: TRA2016-78886-C3-1-R
• Funding: Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness
• Participants: University Carlos III of Madrid, Politechnical of Madrid University, European University
• Starts – Ends: January 2017 – December 2019

URBANITAS

Sistema de Ayuda para una Conducción Urbana más Segura.

• Project Web: Link
• Reference: TRA2015-63708-R
• Funding: Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness
• Participants: University Carlos III of Madrid
• Starts – Ends: January 2016 – December 2018.

ADAS_ROAD (2014-2016)

Sistema Avanzado de Asistencia a la Conduccion para Entornos Interurbanos: Percepcion del Entorno y Simulacion

• Project website: Link
• Reference: TRA2013-48314-C3-1-R
• Funding: Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation
• Participants: University Carlos III of Madrid
• Starts – Ends: January 2014 – December 2016

i-Support

Intelligent Agent-Based Driver Decision Support

• Project website: Link
• Reference: TRA2011-29454-C03-03
• Funding: Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation
• Participants: Computer Vision Center, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, University Carlos III of Madrid
• Starts – Ends: January 2012 – June 2015

AIDA

Sistema Inteligente de Ayuda a la Conduccion basado en Agentes

• Project website: Link
• Reference: TRA2010-21371-C03-03
• Funding: Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Ayuda Puente)
• Participants: Carlos III University of Madrid
• Starts – Ends: January 2012 – December 2014

TRAINUTRI

TRAINing and NUTRItion Senior Social Platform

• Project website: Link

TRAINUTRI AALs project aims to raise consciousness about self wellness, enabling the exchange of knowledge related to physical and nutritional healthy habits. The project will help people (seniors between 50 and 65 years from both sex) to develop healthy habits (keeping them physically active and actively involved into their health maintenance) and will enable people to share and exchange healthy habits related activities, experiences and knowledge allowing them to keep and enrich their social relationships while they age in their preferred environments.

• Reference: AAL-2009-2-129 | AAL-010000-2010-3
• unding: Ambient Assisted Living Program / Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCII), Spanish Ministry of Health
• Participants: PLANET MEDIA (Spain), UPM (Spain), MobiHealth (Netherlands), Geneva University (Switzerland), KMOP( Greece), UC3M (Spain), NetUnion (Switzerland), ArxIT (Switzerland)
• Starts – Ends: January 2010 – December 2012

TOSCLA

Fusión de Datos mediante Conjunto de Clasificadores para la Detección de Objetos Móviles en Entornos Dinámicos

• Reference: CCG10-UC3M/DPI-5535
• Funding: Community of Madrid / Carlos III University of Madrid
• Participants: Carlos III University of Madrid
• Starts – Ends: January 2011 – December 2011

MCTIS

Classifier Ensemble for Intelligent Process of Road Traffic Sign

• Reference: CCG06-UC3M/TIC-0766
• Funding: Community of Madrid / Carlos III University of Madrid
• Participants: Carlos III University of Madrid
• Starts – Ends: January 2007 – December 2007

POCIMA

Pedestrians, Cyclists and Bikers. Sensor Fusion

• Reference: CICYT TRA2007-67374-C02-02
• Funding: Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation
• Participants: Carlos III University of Madrid
• Starts – Ends: Octubre 2007 – September 2009

ASISTENTUR

Advance Driving Assistance System for Urban Environments: Artificial Intelligence

• Reference: CICYT. TRA2004-07441-C03-02
• Funding: Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation
• Participants: Carlos III University of Madrid
• Starts – Ends: January 2004 – December 2012