3 projects
SUaaVE (x2) focused on automated vehicle acceptance and AI-driven situational awareness, while CARAMEL addressed cybersecurity for connected and autonomous vehicles.
Organization
FICOSA AUTOMOTIVE SL
Barcelona-based automotive Tier 1 supplier contributing LiDAR sensing, vehicle cybersecurity, and EV battery manufacturing expertise to European research consortia.
Large industrial companytransportES
H2020 projects
5
As coordinator
0
Total EC funding
€755K
Unique partners
72
What they do
Their core work
Ficosa is a major Spanish automotive components manufacturer based in Barcelona, specializing in vision systems, connectivity solutions, and advanced driver-assistance technologies. Within H2020, they contribute industrial expertise in LiDAR sensors, vehicle cybersecurity, and EV battery systems — bringing real-world automotive manufacturing and integration capabilities to research consortia. Their involvement spans from perception technologies (Time-of-Flight sensors, SPAD arrays) to higher-level systems like connected vehicle security and modular battery pack design.
Core expertise
What they specialise in
Advanced sensing and LiDAR technologiesprimary
2 projects
VIZTA (x2) covered Time-of-Flight sensors, Single Photon Avalanche Diodes, VCSELs, LiDARs, and optical phase arrays for vision and identification applications.
Vehicle cybersecuritysecondary
1 project
CARAMEL specifically targeted AI-based intrusion detection and prevention for connected and electrical vehicles, with their largest single funding (EUR 287k).
EV battery design and manufacturingemerging
1 project
MARBEL (2021-2025) focuses on modular, reusable, lightweight EV battery packs with recycled aluminium and smart battery management — their highest-funded project at EUR 400k.
Electromagnetic compatibility in medical/automotive contextsemerging
1 project
ETERNITY training network addresses electromagnetic interference risks, bridging automotive electronics expertise with medical technology safety.
Evolution & trajectory
How they've shifted over time
Early focus
Autonomous vehicles and sensing
Recent focus
EV batteries and electrification
Ficosa's H2020 participation started in 2019 with a clear focus on connected automated vehicles (acceptance, AI, situational awareness) and advanced optical sensing technologies (LiDAR, SPAD, VCSEL). By 2021, their portfolio shifted toward electrification and sustainability — modular EV battery manufacturing with ecodesign principles and recycled materials became their largest-funded activity. This mirrors the broader automotive industry pivot from autonomy-first to electrification-first strategies.
Ficosa is transitioning from perception and connectivity systems toward electric vehicle components and sustainable manufacturing, making them a strong partner for EV-related consortia.
Collaboration profile
How they like to work
Role: specialist_contributorReach: European18 countries collaborated
Ficosa participates exclusively as a consortium partner — never as coordinator — which is typical for large industrial companies contributing manufacturing expertise and use-case validation to research projects. With 72 unique partners across 18 countries, they operate in large, diverse consortia rather than tight bilateral arrangements. This indicates they are comfortable integrating into complex multi-partner projects and bring industry-grade testing and validation capabilities that academic-led consortia often need.
Ficosa has built a broad European network of 72 unique partners across 18 countries, reflecting their role in large Innovation Action and Research consortia. Their network spans automotive OEMs, sensor manufacturers, cybersecurity firms, and battery technology developers.
Why partner with them
What sets them apart
Ficosa bridges the gap between automotive component manufacturing and advanced R&D — they are not a pure research lab but an industrial partner that can take sensor prototypes, cybersecurity solutions, or battery designs toward production-ready integration. Their dual expertise in optical sensing (LiDAR/ToF) and vehicle electronics positions them uniquely at the intersection of perception, connectivity, and electrification. For consortium builders, they offer what many projects lack: a Tier 1 automotive supplier willing to validate and industrialize research outputs.
Notable projects
Highlights from their portfolio
- MARBELTheir highest-funded project (EUR 400k) and a strategic pivot toward EV battery manufacturing with sustainability-focused design principles including recycled materials and easy disassembly.
- CARAMELSubstantial funding (EUR 287k) for AI-based cybersecurity in connected vehicles — combines their automotive domain knowledge with growing demand for vehicle cyber-resilience.
- VIZTADeep-tech photonics project covering SPAD, VCSEL, and LiDAR technologies with applications spanning automotive, security, smart buildings, and Industry 4.0.
Cross-sector capabilities
Digital — LiDAR, ToF sensors, and AI for perception systemsSecurity — vehicle cybersecurity and biometric identificationManufacturing — modular EV battery assembly and ecodesignHealth — electromagnetic compatibility expertise applicable to medical devices
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