A research initiative led by the Road Vehicles specialists at Politehnica University Timișoara, dedicated to the study of sustainable transport, vehicle electrification, and the development of autonomous driving capabilities on a dedicated experimental EV platform.
The programme operates within the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Politehnica University Timișoara, one of Romania's leading technical universities. Our work sits at the intersection of three evolving domains: powertrain electrification, vehicle dynamics, and intelligent control systems.
Through this initiative, we aim to produce original research, train the next generation of automotive engineers, and contribute to the regional and European transition toward sustainable road transport.
The laboratory brings together faculty members, doctoral candidates, and undergraduate students in a shared research environment. Emphasis is placed on hands-on engagement with a physical vehicle platform, rather than simulation alone, allowing students to develop competencies that translate directly into industrial practice.
We actively seek partnerships with academic peers, public institutions, and private sector actors whose interests align with our research agenda.
Perception, sensor fusion, path planning, and control algorithms developed and validated on a real-world vehicle platform.
Investigation of drivetrain efficiency, energy management, and the broader role of EVs in decarbonising road transport.
Integration of research outcomes into the curriculum, with direct involvement of students in experimental activities and dissertations.
Collaborative engagements with industry and sponsors support equipment acquisition, joint publications, and knowledge transfer.
A multi-year research effort to develop, integrate, and validate autonomous driving subsystems on a compact electric vehicle, coordinated by the Road Vehicles specialists at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.
The project addresses the full stack of autonomous driving technology at a scale appropriate to an academic laboratory: environmental perception through cameras and ranging sensors, localisation and mapping, decision-making under uncertainty, and low-level control of steering, braking, and propulsion.
Particular attention is paid to the interplay between autonomous control and the characteristics of an electric powertrain — an area in which the combination of instant torque, regenerative braking, and software-defined actuation offers distinctive research opportunities.
Work is organised in structured research tracks, each aligned with a doctoral or master's thesis where appropriate. Outputs include peer-reviewed publications, open experimental data where feasible, and prototype subsystems validated on the BAW Pony platform.
Progress updates, technical notes, and student work will be published on this site as the programme matures.
Selected for its compact footprint, electric drivetrain, and suitability for closed-course experimentation, the BAW Pony serves as the physical substrate on which all sensing, control, and actuation research is conducted.
Our work depends on the engagement of students, academic collaborators, and sponsoring organisations. Whether you wish to contribute to the research, partner with the laboratory, or support it financially, we welcome the conversation.
Undergraduate and master's students at Politehnica University Timișoara may engage with the programme through dissertation topics, project-based courses, and laboratory assistantships related to electric mobility and autonomous systems.
Student enquiries →Academic and industrial partners are invited to explore joint research, co-supervised theses, shared infrastructure, and participation in funded projects at national and European level.
Partnership enquiries →Sponsorship — in the form of equipment, components, financial support, or in-kind contributions — directly enables the expansion of our experimental capabilities and the training of future engineers. Sponsors are acknowledged in programme outputs.
Sponsorship enquiries →For enquiries regarding the research programme, student projects, academic collaboration, or sponsorship, please write to the coordinator.