Description of the RI

The Zala ZONE Automotive Proving Ground is a test track built on a 260-hectare area in Zalaegerszeg in West-Hungary. It is unique in its integration of the testing of both classic vehicle dynamics and for the multiple testing requirements for autonomous vehicles and autonomous vehicle technologies, as well as validation testing for electric vehicles.

Activities and Services

Beside the conventional technical services ZalaZONE provides competitive & unique engineering service related to standardized ADAS- and individual AD function testing. The testing environment also offers laboratory and simulation facilities as well as public road-testing opportunities close to the proving ground in the city of Zalaegerszeg and in the Hungarian countryside, with the extension to international public routes.

The automotive proving ground has a key importance as a complex and integrated Research & Development facility which supports customers and experimental developments. The ZalaZONE Research and Technology Centre is located just beside the proving ground, in a very close relation with its activities. It functions as an incubator/accelerator for SMEs and start-ups as well as university-based R&D centre, for Hungarian, regional, European, and global university and industrial partners, where cooperation and collaboration between enterprises and universities are strategically key focus points. The dual training program for high school students, where students can acquire the theoretical knowledge, they have received in higher education contributes to the success of the project.

Tests on the interaction of autonomous vehicles and drones may soon begin at the drone testing and development centre to be established next to ZalaZONE.