Imagine a high-tech 'speed camera' that doesn't just check speed, but can tell if a motorcycle's exhaust has been illegally modified just by listening and smelling the air. It uses tiny sensors to catch vehicles that pollute way more than they should. The goal is to help cities clean up the air and quiet down the streets by spotting the worst offenders in real-time.
L-category vehicles cause disproportionate pollution and noise compared to their low mileage, often worsened by illegal exhaust tampering. Authorities lack the tools to detect these 'super-polluters' in real-time without stopping every vehicle.
A super-compact nanoparticle (PN) sensor for on-board use and a remote sensing system for detecting noise and emissions of moving vehicles. Additionally, a smart app for riders and miniature GPS/microphone data loggers were developed.
If you are a city agency dealing with illegal exhaust modifications—which can increase emissions by up to 30 times—this project developed remote sensing techniques that identify the worst noise and emission vehicles on the road. This allows for targeted enforcement instead of random checks.
If you are a manufacturer dealing with the high rate of muffler replacement (averaging 13% of fleet LVs), this project developed anti-tampering measures like digital sealing. These tools help protect the integrity of the original catalyst and emission specifications.
If you are a consultancy dealing with urban air pollution, this project developed super-compact PN sensors for nanoparticles down to 2.5 nm. These tools allow for precise measurement of L-category vehicles which contribute over 20% of total road transport hydrocarbons.
Based on available project data, the specific unit price or commercial cost of the sensors is not disclosed.
Yes, the project includes deploying remote detection techniques in 3 real-world campaigns to sample more than 3,000 vehicles on the road.
Based on available project data, specific IP or licensing terms are not mentioned, though the project develops digital sealing and anti-tampering enforcement.
The project provides suggestions for regulations, including the control of emissions under real driving conditions and the enforcement of anti-tampering measures.
The light-weight, super-compact PN sensor prototype was scheduled to be ready by month 12 (M12) of the project.
The consortium is heavily industry-weighted with 47% industry participation (7 companies), including a specialized SME coordinator (Emisia SA). With 15 partners across 10 European countries, the project balances academic research (4 universities, 3 research centers) with practical application, ensuring that the developed sensors and apps are geared toward market and regulatory needs rather than just theoretical study.
Contact EMISIA SA in Greece for technical specifications on PN sensors.
Request a deep-dive into the anti-tampering digital sealing specifications.
