Under the insAI name, the Automotive Technology Centre of Galicia and Grupo Antolin, one of the major manufacturers of parts for vehicle interiors, joined forces within the context of the programme, promoted by the Xunta de Galicia through the Galician Innovation Agency. The project raised a budget of more than 2.2 million euros and involved a team of 25 researchers with the goal of developing intelligent solutions for safe driving, user experience and comfort inside a car, aspects which are increasingly valued by users and which will be key in the future.

Specifically, the R&D&I work addressed lines of action related to sensor technology, machine vision, connectivity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, electronic architecture, mechatronics and HMI.

Among the innovative results that have been developed is the ozonisation system, an intelligent, efficient and safe device integrated into the car's cabin that has the ability to sanitise surfaces and eliminate odours.

Another innovation is the air purification system that efficiently removes viruses, bacteria, particles and volatile organic compounds. The Joint Unit also worked on an intelligent thermal comfort system using radiant surfaces.

In addition, an advanced sunshade opacity and transparency control system was developed that controls two sunshades of different materials that can be darkened in sections. Each sunshade allows control of three different sections, and the system offers the ability to change the type of sunshade depending on the material.

Finally, the electronic system for functional passenger compartment lighting supports the user, both to facilitate the search for items within the user's field of vision and to support driving assistance systems. It also covers the various ambient lighting scenarios that ensure comfort in the vehicle interior.

Joint Research Units Programme

The actions carried out within the framework of this Joint Research Unit thus contributed to technology transfer in a strategic sector for Galicia such as the automotive industry, in line with one of the main objectives of this instrument promoted by the Xunta de Galicia: to encourage cooperation between research organisations in Galicia and the business environment and to promote the transfer of R&D to industry in order to increase its competitiveness.

In total, since the launch of this programme in 2014, the Xunta de Galicia has supported 55 Joint Research Units, with the participation of 39 companies and 14 knowledge centres, and a final investment of almost 155 million euros.