In its commitment to making Connected, Cooperative, and Automated Mobility (CCAM) a tangible reality, the IN2CCAM project recently contributed to an impactful educational event aimed at advancing research, building capacity, and shaping the next generation of CCAM experts.

From July 21 to 25, 2025, the IEEE RAS Summer School on Cooperative Connected and Autonomous Agents (CCAA) took place in Bari, Italy, hosted by the Polytechnic University of Bari (POLIBA), the coordinating partner of the IN2CCAM project. The school brought together 25 participants from 8 countries and regions, including Europe, Asia, and North America, in an intensive program of lectures, discussions, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Maria Pia Fanti, project coordinator, Agostino Mangini and Michelle Roccotelli were the IN2CCAM/POLIBA representatives at this event.

A global exchange of knowledge

The summer school united PhD students, researchers, and professionals from Germany, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, India, China, Hong Kong, and Italy, selected for the relevance of their academic background and research to the field of CCAA. The diversity of the group, including IEEE RAS student members, academic participants, and one industry representative, ensured a rich exchange of perspectives.

Each day featured structured sessions combining theoretical insights with interactive discussions, led by a distinguished panel of international experts from institutions like the Technical University of Munich, Chalmers University of Technology, Ohio State University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and University of Zagreb, among others.

Topics covered included:

• Multi-agent control and distributed systems
• Machine learning and deep reinforcement learning
• Fault diagnosis and digital twins
• Optimisation methods for AV systems
• Path planning and traffic control for autonomous vehicles

The IN2CCAM project played a strategic role in shaping and supporting the summer school. The event’s themes directly aligned with IN2CCAM’s mission to develop integrated, inclusive, and intelligent mobility solutions. The IEEE RAS Summer School on CCAA represents the kind of initiative that translates EU research into global momentum. By facilitating international cooperation, promoting interdisciplinary dialogue, and investing in young researchers, IN2CCAM is actively contributing to bridging the gap between research and deployment, enhancing Europe’s leadership in automated mobility and supporting the skills for tomorrow’s transport systems.