Greece at the forefront of European innovation for road safety and autonomous driving – new technologies to protect vulnerable road network users in modern urban cities, obstacles such as parked cars, vegetation or buildings limit the visibility, not only drivers but also drivers. As a result, the most vulnerable users of the road, such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and people with disabilities, risk remaining “invisible” for autonomous systems. Even the most advanced autonomous vehicles face significant challenges: in cases of partial concealment, the chance of not being detected a pedestrian or cyclist reaches 25-30%. This creates a dangerous gap that is not just technical – it can be fatal. Despite the progress of technology and road safety campaigns, traffic is still a daily issue throughout Europe and Greece. In 2024, 19,800 people died in traffic accidents in Europe, with vulnerable users being particularly affected, as two -thirds of deaths involved pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

The European Union has set a 50% reduction in deaths and serious injuries by 2030 and almost complete elimination by 2050. Until then, any new accident highlights the indisputable need to strengthen road safety. In this context, the development of smart systems that enhance vehicle perception is no longer just an innovation for new autonomous vehicles, but a “tool” that can save lives. This need is covered by the Hidden project (Hybrid Intelligence for Advanced Collective Perception and Decision Making in Complex Urban Environments), the new EU research program launched in July 2025, co-ordinated by the I-SENSE research team of the Operator of the National Media Polytechni. The Hidden project is funded with almost € 5m by the Horizon Europe program and is part of the CCAM (Connected, Coopervative and Automated Mobility) consortium. The opening meeting took place in Athens, marking the start of a three -year cooperation. During its time, the project will unite 14 partners and 2 associated bodies from 7 European countries, with the aim of tackling visual obstacles in urban traffic. Hidden utilizes Collective Awareness, in combination with Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, so that vehicles can exchange and interpret data from multiple sources-drivers, infrastructures, pedestrians-and “see” from their senses. What distinguishes Hidden is the application of Hybrid Intelligence, a combination of human and mechanical perception that allows autonomous vehicles to make decisions based on not only technical data, but also rules of safety and ethics, approaching the human style of driving.

As Dr. Angelos Amditis, project coordinator and research and development director at ICCS, “Hidden goes beyond conventional artificial intelligence. We bring the human crisis to the core of autonomous decisions so that systems work not only with technical precision but also with high security and moral consistency ». Hidden technologies will be tested in both real conditions and virtual simulators, with their evaluation focusing on four high -risk realistic scenarios: a child running behind a parked car, cyclist in mixed traffic conditions, worker behind dense vegetation and drunkenness. Greek participation in the project is particularly active. The EPI/NTUA team, as a coordinator, participates with its autonomous vehicle and specialized scientific staff, while leading the development of technical units such as cooperative perception algorithms, predicting track of vulnerable users and incorporating real -time human behavior data. At the same time, Greek companies contribute specialized know-how: Libra AI, a project technical manager, develops an artificial intelligence system that understands the attention and status of the driver, CIBOS (Spin-Off of the EPE/NTUA) focuses on improving software and user Aim to maximize promotion and social impact. Through this collaboration, Greece plays a decisive role in shaping technology, practices and standards that will determine the future of autonomous mobility at European level.

Hidden project: goals, funding and European cooperation

Hidden (Hybrid Intelligence for Advanced Collective Perception and Decision-Making in Complex Urban Environments) is a research project of the Horizon Europe program, with the aim of promoting urban mobility through safer, smart and morally founding autonomous systems. At the heart of the project are collective awareness solutions that allow connected and autonomous vehicles to detect real -time hidden objects and vulnerable users. With the use of hybrid intelligence, the project combines artificial and human intelligence, supporting decisions based on human style of driving and moral principles. In addition, Hidden faces the legal, regulatory and moral challenges of artificial intelligence in mobility, ensuring transparency and confidence in decision -making. Technologies will be tested both in real conditions in European countries and in virtual environments to validate their effectiveness in realistic scenarios. Through cooperation with type approval bodies, standardization organizations and key stakeholders, the project seeks to set new standards for safe and socially responsible autonomous mobility in complex urban environments. Hidden is included in the CCAM Association and Cluster 5 of Key Enabling Technologies. It focuses on “Artificial Intelligence for Advanced and Collective Perception and Decisions in CCAM applications”, combining innovative technologies for safe and collaborative autonomous mobility.

Basic information on Hidden project

• Coordinator: Research University Institute of Communications and Computer Systems (ICCS), Greece • Start: July 1 2025 • Duration: 36 months (until June 30 2028) • Financing: € 4,997,139.75 from the Horizon Europe program (Horizon-CL5-2024-D6-01-04) European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (Cinea) • Participants: 14 Partners and 2 Connected Bodies from 7 EU countries • Project Website: https://www.hiddenproject.eu/ • Social Media: Linked @hidden EU EU Project, youtube @hiddeneUproject, indicative, the project partners come from academia, industry and research, ensuring an interdisciplinary approach and widespread implementation of the results.