Horizon Europe’s Next-Generation Environment Perception System
26th September 2025 at 8:55 am
As automated mobility continues to evolve, the demand for perception systems capable of anticipating and responding to complex scenarios is critical. The Horizon Europe call HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D6-03 provides a critical opportunity for the development of safe, energy-efficient and sustainable automated mobility solutions. With an emphasis on real-world applications, the European Commission is seeking proposals that advance perception technologies to ensure the safe operation of autonomous vehicles in complex urban and rural environments. Proposals must address both technological innovation and sustainability, ensuring that the systems developed are ready for widespread deployment while minimising their environmental impact. With a submission deadline of 20 January 2026, now is the time to explore the call’s requirements and align your proposal with the Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM) Partnership and its Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda.
Key Expectations in this call topic
The European Commission expects proposals to achieve the following outcomes:
- Validated prototypes of perception systems capable of anticipating and responding to risks, such as pedestrian crossings and interactions with emergency vehicles.
- Energy-efficient systems that minimise the environmental impact of both hardware and software in perception technologies.
- Modular, reusable and upgradable systems that lower costs and increase scalability and circularity.
The challenge is to develop innovative solutions that are safe, reliable and sustainable, all while ensuring the affordability and long-term viability of these technologies.
Pro tip: When preparing your proposal, demonstrate how your perception system can be scaled across different environments, from urban streets to rural areas. Flexibility in real-world applications is key to meeting the call’s expectations.
Addressing Safety and Energy Efficiency
Proposals should address the need for real-time, reliable data processing to handle complex environments. To achieve this, applicants must:
- Develop energy-efficient solutions without sacrificing system performance.
- Leverage AI and edge computing to optimise the sense-think-act process for real-time decision-making.
Pro tip: Optimise your models for low-latency and low-power performance. Proposals incorporating edge-AI will be more competitive, as they focus on energy efficiency and fast decision-making.
Circularity and Sustainability Goals
The Commission’s focus on sustainability means proposals should consider eco-design principles to minimise environmental impact. This requirement includes:
- Using modular designs for easy upgrades and repairs.
- Incorporating reusable and recyclable materials in perception system components.
Pro tip: Proposals demonstrating modular, upgradable components will stand out. Highlight how your system can be repaired or recycled, showcasing your contribution to the EU Green Deal.
Looking for help in navigating your proposal preparation and writing?
At accelopment, we have a proven track record in Horizon Europe mobility projects, such as the ongoing ROADVIEW project. Our expertise in proposal writing, project management as well as communication and dissemination has helped consortia across Europe secure funding for innovative CCAM solutions. Let us guide you through the Horizon Europe call process to maximise your chances of success!
Contact our Horizon Europe experts now to discuss how we can help you prepare a winning proposal. We are here to support you at every step of the process, from proposal development to successful implementation.
Dr. Johannes Ripperger
Research & Innovation Manager
Andreia Cruz
Research & Innovation Project Manager