A huge new lab in Sweden is testing the future of 6G-powered vehicles connecting drones
Facilities hidden in rural Sweden have quietly reshaped the future of global mobility. Owned by a research institute in Sweden (Rise), Astazero has just revealed the world’s most advanced vehicle testing ground, an ambitious leap into the 6G-powered future where every movement on the road can be coordinated, controlled and optimized in real time.
The Astazero is not a normal vehicle test track. This is a comprehensive independent research environment designed to test tomorrow’s automated transport systems to ensure confidence and safety. Think of it as a real-world lab where autonomous cars, AI-powered drones and connected emergency vehicles are pushed to their limits.
At the heart of this latest breakthrough are multiple 5G networks and cutting-edge computing facilities, marking any open, non-independent verification base. It enables split decisions and very reliable connectivity between vehicles, emergency teams, pedestrians, infrastructure and transportation systems.
This is more important than ever. As 3G networks are eliminated globally, mission-critical systems such as ambulances, fire trucks and police cars are under pressure to modernize. Astazero’s newly launched facility offers the first real opportunity to control controlled but dynamic real-life innovative systems.
Astazero’s new infrastructure is more than just faster—it’s smarter and safer response. Powered in edge computing, vehicles can now process data locally, rather than relying on distant cloud centers. This means that self-driving cars can immediately respond to new traffic signals that pedestrians enter the street or before drivers see new traffic signals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9byicxebfvk
Without advanced integration testing, a safer road remains a dream. Rise Astazero Peter Janevik’s CEO explains the implications of this breakthrough, telling Gizmodo: “In the future, communication may not always originate from sensors on the vehicle itself, but from sensors on connected infrastructure or other tools.
In June, Astazero said that system reliability has reached 99.999% in connected vehicle communications, the first time in the industry. This is the level of consistency required for a “mission critical” scenario, and even the failure of splits can cause life.
When asked about the most challenging types of reality situations on Astazero and how they overcome them, Janevik describes the complexity of multiple test domains vs. future situations:
Upon arrival, rescuers deployed an automatic drone at the scene of the accident. Rescuers use videos to assess and follow the situation, and also require central management, which requires decisions on such redirected traffic as well as other team deployments as well as other authorities, as well as police and medical teams. Then, imagine that drones also use static objects (such as crashed vehicles or cones) to create local map updates for traffic redirection and dynamic objects such as people or fires. Imagine that the map is also used to alert and re-rout vehicles that are automated and manually driven.
The head display may be the latest step in this direction, with emergency information scrolling along the lower edge of the windshield rather than on an overhead traffic sign or infotainment screen. To ensure such a complex system is effective, the testing and design teams need to consider elements such as connection disruption and technology integration from numerous manufacturers and telecom companies, which is what Astazero offers.
Apart from roads and intersections, Astazero’s validated ground is designed to test unlimited scenarios. Whether it’s a cyclist turning in traffic or a simulated pedestrian who goes over at unpredictable times, the location can orchestrate complex environments. “We tested different situations with automatic braking vehicles with collision avoidance technology, but more importantly, the site offers powerful testing to ensure highly repetitive results can be repeated under a wider range of conditions,” Janevik said.
By using AI, drone and robotic systems such as digital twins and virtual modeling for advanced scenario computing and simulation, the website can assist engineers in pursuing advances in chip manufacturing, so designs can be tracked through upcoming technologies. Janevik believes the impact of this approach on “unique testing scenarios” of smaller machine learning models with AI-based decisions to demonstrate that these models can make the right decisions through ongoing updates. ”
The goal of the ascending facility is to test components in a hardware cycle in a vehicle in a practical situation. The test also explains the downgrade conditions (such as loss of connectivity) in preparation for the actual challenges. The only limitation is what engineers can imagine, and Janevik sees it as their goal – to realize their vision and help society accelerate into the safe, sustainable and automated transportation systems of the future.
This is especially important in Europe where road death statistics are stagnant. While EU road deaths fell by 10% between 2019 and 2023, the latest data showed a drop of only 1%. 83% of fatal pedestrian accidents occurred in urban areas and stubborn plateaus are underway, so new solutions are needed. As EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas said: “Every year, too many lives are still lost on our roads.”
Astazero stands out for being agile in the brand. Any vehicle manufacturer, telecom provider or AI developer can use the facility to test and refine their systems. Neutrality is especially important to ensure consistency and fairness of global standards, as Europe’s new automotive evaluation program introduces new vehicles to all equipment between 2026 and 2032. The Global Certification Forum has become an accredited testing organization, and Astazero has played a leading role in helping to develop these standards.
The foundation of Astazero verification can not only test the performance of cars, but also how they think, communicate and collaborate. With edge computing enabling decentralized real-time response, next-generation smart vehicles will be able to prevent accidents before accidents occur, minimizing traffic delays and greatly improving energy efficiency.
