Integrated Photonics for the next generation of autonomous Vehicles using InP technologies (DRIVE-In) is an EU-funded European Industrial Doctorate Innovative Training Network involving the University of Vigo (Spain) as the Academic Partner, and VPIphotonics GmbH (Germany) as Industrial Partner.

The DRIVE-In project aims to provide cutting-edge training to young researchers in the emerging field of integrated photonics, fostering its application in the automotive industry through the development of novel generic Indium-Phosphide (InP) Process Design Kits (PDKs) as well as the creation of disruptive simulation tools and modelling procedures for use in optoelectronic (combined integrated photonics and microelectronics) systems. Together the ESRs will combine academic research and industrial knowledge to overcome specific challenges of the integrated photonics sector, related to hybridisation of integrated photonics and microelectronics, increasing Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) complexity, availability of PIC design tools, need for high-performance Free Space Optic (FSO) devices and need for software simulation and fast-generation layout models. DRIVE-In is implemented through secondments of the ESRs between both the academic and industrial participants.

DRIVE-In will train the four ESRs at two beneficiaries: University of Vigo, a leading European academic institution – and at VPI Photonics, an innovative company for simulation software and design services; as well as at three partners: Fraunhofer Heinrich-Hertz-Institute, a leading European academic institution – and at Automotive Technology Centre of Galicia (CTAG) and Bright Photonics, both innovative companies in the fields of automotive technology and integrated photonics design and consultancy.