The Smart Vehicle Dynamic Controller (SVDC) project has officially launched, marking a major step forward in the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into military vehicle systems. Supported by the European Commission through the European Defence Fund (EDF), the development project aims to strengthen the EU’s Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) and advance Europe’s strategic autonomy in critical defence technologies.
At the kick-off event in Madrid, hosted by project coordinator Piedrafita, the SVDC consortium presented its vision for developing an edge-computing device capable of operating entirely offline and certifiable for military use. Leveraging advanced AI algorithms, this system will autonomously monitor and adjust vehicle sub-systems dynamically, significantly enhancing operational efficiency.
Eder Cerro, Deputy Director for Operations at C&V Defence, the consortium partner responsible for Ethics, Exploitation and Dissemination, and Security, stated:
“The success of defence R&D projects depends not only on technological excellence but on trust : trust that systems are secure, ethically designed, and strategically exploitable for European interests. At C&V Defence, we ensure that innovation within SVDC aligns with ethical principles, robust security standards, and clear exploitation pathways, so that the project delivers both operational advantage and long-term strategic value for Europe.”
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By relying exclusively on European technologies, SVDC will protect sensitive intellectual property and safeguard the strategic interests of EU Member States, ensuring that critical defence capabilities remain under European control. Over the next 36 months, the project will deliver a breakthrough solution to address current capability gaps and position Europe at the forefront of military AI innovation.
The SVDC consortium is led by Piedrafita and brings together six Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) from five EU Member States, alongside two subcontractors (one SME and one mid-cap company). The partnership has been carefully structured to ensure strong synergies and complementarity across all participants, drawing on Europe’s deep expertise in AI, defence engineering, and edge computing.