CONSORZIO UNIVERSITA INDUSTRIA - LABORATORI DI RADIOCOMUNICAZION I

Their core work

RadioLabs is a Rome-based university-industry consortium specializing in satellite navigation (GNSS/EGNSS) and radio communication systems for the railway sector. They develop and validate positioning, signaling, and communication technologies that enable trains to use satellite-based systems instead of — or alongside — traditional trackside infrastructure (ERTMS/ETCS). Their work spans from GNSS receiver testing and train positioning integrity to exploring alternative communication bearers (optical, wireless, satellite) for rail operations. They bridge the gap between academic research and industrial railway applications, with a strong focus on safety-critical navigation systems.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 participation (2015–2018), RadioLabs focused squarely on proving that GNSS and satellite systems could work within the existing ERTMS/ETCS railway signaling framework — essentially asking "can satellites replace trackside balises for train positioning?" From 2018 onward, their work shifted toward broader communication infrastructure (alternative bearers, optical and wireless links, satcom platforms) and expanded beyond pure rail into multimodal eco-friendly transportation with high-integrity positioning. The evolution shows a clear move from single-technology validation to system-level integration across multiple communication and positioning technologies.

RadioLabs is broadening from rail-only GNSS positioning toward multi-sensor, multi-bearer communication architectures for wider transportation applications, making them increasingly relevant for smart mobility projects beyond railways.

How they like to work

RadioLabs operates as both a project leader and an active consortium partner, with a near-even split (4 coordinated, 5 as participant). They work with 55 unique partners across 12 countries, suggesting they are well-connected across the European railway and space technology ecosystem rather than locked into a small circle. Their consortium sizes and funding levels indicate they fit comfortably in mid-sized collaborative projects (Innovation Actions and Shift2Rail), where they contribute deep technical expertise rather than serving as a pure subcontractor.

RadioLabs has collaborated with 55 distinct partners across 12 European countries, indicating a broad and well-established network within the EU railway innovation and space technology communities. Their involvement in Shift2Rail projects anchors them within the European rail industry's core R&D framework.

What sets them apart

RadioLabs sits at a rare intersection: they are one of very few organizations in Europe that combine deep GNSS/satellite expertise with hands-on railway signaling knowledge. As a university-industry consortium, they can move between academic rigor and industrial requirements in a way that pure universities or pure companies cannot. For anyone building a consortium around satellite-based rail positioning, smart transport communications, or ERTMS modernization, RadioLabs brings both the research credibility and the industry connections to be a central partner.

Highlights from their portfolio

• HELMET
  Their largest funded project (EUR 690K, coordinator role), expanding GNSS work beyond rail into multimodal eco-friendly transportation — signals their strategic direction.
• RHINOS
  Coordinated project defining a GNSS-based overlay system for railway navigation integrity — foundational to their core expertise and reputation in the field.
• AB4Rail
  Explores alternative communication bearers (optical, wireless, satcom) for railways — represents their pivot toward broader communication infrastructure beyond pure positioning.