Hungary has moved its autonomous-driving programme from closed-track testing onto public roads, with SAE Level 4 self-driving vehicles now being tested in Zalaegerszeg before the programme expands to Debrecen and later Budapest.
The first phase uses two Zeekr 001 test vehicles equipped with Level 4 autonomous-driving technology. The cars are being tested in real urban traffic after completing extensive validation at the ZalaZONE automotive proving ground.
Although Level 4 technology can perform all driving tasks within defined operating conditions without continuous human supervision, every vehicle in the current road-test programme is accompanied by a trained safety driver who can intervene if necessary.
Testing will move from Zalaegerszeg to Debrecen and Budapest
Zalaegerszeg was selected as the first stage because its urban environment is smaller and less complex. The programme will subsequently move to Debrecen, where the cars will face more complicated traffic conditions, before progressing to Budapest, the most complex environment in the testing sequence.
Project head István Lerchner said public-road testing is essential because the behaviour of autonomous-driving systems can only be fully evaluated in real traffic situations after closed-course validation has been completed.
ZalaZONE works with most European carmakers
ZalaZONE has developed into one of Hungary’s main automotive research and testing facilities. Zoltán Hamar, managing director of AVL-ZalaZONE, said the proving ground works with almost every European automotive manufacturer and provides testing infrastructure ranging from laboratory environments to closed tracks and real-road conditions.
The facility is also undergoing an ownership and operational change after being brought under direct state ownership. Under its current framework, 80% of the proving ground’s capacity must be used for research and development, while up to 20% can be allocated to commercial activities during the maintenance period.
Science and Technology Minister Zoltán Tanács said the government also sees potential for ZalaZONE to support testing of technologies beyond vehicles, including drones and robots.
Government targets autonomous services within one to two years
Tanács described autonomous vehicles as one of the defining technologies of the coming years and said Hungary wants to position itself among the countries leading their development and deployment.
According to Hungarian media, the minister said he hopes autonomous-driving-based services could begin operating in Hungary within one to two years, although wider deployment will also require an appropriate legal and regulatory framework.
For now, the programme remains in the testing phase, with Zalaegerszeg serving as the first real-world environment before autonomous vehicles are exposed to progressively more demanding traffic conditions in Debrecen and Budapest.
