Autonomous Mobility and Perception Lab

What Autonomous Mobility and Perception Lab does

Autonomous Mobility and Perception Lab (AMPL) is an academic research laboratory at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, founded in 2021 as part of the VEDYMEC research group and based at the university's Polytechnic School in Leganés, Madrid. The lab is led by Fernando Garcia (Associate Professor, Head of Lab) and Abdulla Al-Kaff (Assistant Professor, Vice-Head), with a multidisciplinary team of professors, researchers, and graduate students (the MARTA project lists a team of approximately 10 experienced engineers and physicists). AMPL focuses on smart mobility and perception applications spanning three technology pillars: computer vision and deep-learning perception (object detection, semantic segmentation, re-identification, 3D detection, multi-object tracking), vehicular technologies (Level 4 autonomous driving, V2X communication, LiDAR/GNSS-based localization, HD map digitization), and UAV systems (visual odometry, obstacle avoidance, path planning, swarm coordination).

The lab operates three autonomous vehicle platforms — ATLAS (2018-2024, first Level 4 vehicle to perform public demonstrations in Spain), ERIS (data acquisition), and Kalipso (current Level 4 with teleoperation and 360-degree sensor fusion) — alongside two UAV fleets (Skyonyx and a 3D-printed quadcopter array). Its proprietary algorithms include BirdNet for LiDAR-based 3D detection, SIFT/FREAK-based visual odometry, Simulated Annealing path planning, and the open-source velo2cam_calibration toolkit on GitHub.

AMPL does not sell commercial products. Revenue consists of competitive research grants from Spanish agencies (AEI under Generación del Conocimiento, MICIU, MINCOTUR under PERTE VEC) and European Union programs (Horizon Europe, Chips JU). Six active projects are underway: M-PAC (PID2021-128327OA-I00, 2022-2026), DIVEC (2022-2025), MARTA (TED2021-129374A-I00, 2022-2025), ECOMOBILITY (PCI2023-143425, 2023-2026), PLIADES (101135988, 2024-2027), and SafePerception under TARGET-X (101096614, 2024-2025). Private-industry collaboration agreements — with Bosch, Renault, Telefónica, Idneo, Acerinox, Sigma, CT Ingenieros, Movvo Robotiks, Aquafrisch, Sercore, and Seevia — provide co-development and consulting revenue alongside grant funding. Customer inquiries route through [email protected], and the lab markets itself primarily via academic publications, conference presentations, and a small organic social presence on LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.

Name

Autonomous Mobility and Perception Lab

Legal name

Autonomous Mobility and Perception Lab

Website

https://ampl.uc3m.es

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Autonomous Mobility and Perception Lab (AMPL) is a 2021-founded academic research lab at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid developing computer-vision, sensor-fusion, Level 4 autonomous-driving, and UAV technologies, funded by Spanish and EU research grants plus industry collaborations with Bosch, Renault, and Telefónica.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autonomous Mobility Research Services

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV) (IMABAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

3D Vision, Depth Sensing & Point Cloud Analytics (HDAAAEAK), Autonomous Flight Control & Guidance Systems (UAS/Urban Air Mobility) (IMABAFAO)

Keywords

• Autonomous mobility research
• Computer vision perception
• Sensor fusion technology
• UAV navigation systems
• V2X communication research

Headquarters

HQ city

Leganés

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Operations

Revenue model

1. Research Project Funding: Government-funded research projects from Spanish agencies (MICIU/AEI) and European Union (Horizon Europe). Includes national projects (M-PAC, DIVEC, MARTA) and European projects (SafePerception, PLIADES, Ecomobility).
2. Private Industry Collaboration: Collaborative projects with private companies including Bosch, Renault, Aquafrisch, Sercore, CT, Seevia, Movvo Robotiks, Telefónica, and Acerinox for technology development and consulting.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

AMPL conducts academic research and develops technology in autonomous mobility and perception, operating multiple autonomous vehicle platforms (ATLAS, ERIS, Kalipsos) and UAV systems (Skyonyx, 3D-printed drones). The lab delivers research outputs across three technology portfolios—Perception (deep learning, computer vision, sensor fusion, SLAM), Vehicular (Level 4 autonomous driving, V2X, 3D detection), and UAV (visual odometry, obstacle avoidance, swarm coordination)—funded through Spanish and European research grants and private industry collaboration contracts.

Product overview

The Autonomous Mobility and Perception Lab (AMPL) is a research laboratory at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid developing autonomous mobility and perception technologies. AMPL operates multiple autonomous vehicles (ATLAS, ERIS, Kalipsos) and UAV platforms (Skyonyx, 3D Printed UAVs) as core research products. The lab's technology portfolio includes Perception Technologies for computer vision and deep learning applications, Vehicular Technologies for autonomous driving systems (including BirdNet 3D detection, V2X communications, and LiDAR-based localization), and UAV Technologies for aerial autonomy (including visual odometry, obstacle avoidance, and swarm coordination). These technologies are used in research projects for national agencies, European Union programs, and private industry partners, rather than being commercialized as standalone products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ATLAS Autonomous Vehicle First UC3M autonomous vehicle developed as a collaboration between MAPFRe and UC3M; first Level 4 vehicle to perform public demonstrations in Spain. Used as a research platform for perception, autonomous driving, and digitalization techniques.
• ERIS Data Acquisition Vehicle Second AMPL vehicle, dedicated to data acquisition equipment for developing perception modules for autonomous driving and data gathering for digitalization techniques.
• Kalipsos Level 4 Autonomous Vehicle Current AMPL autonomous vehicle with Level 4 autonomy and teleoperation capabilities; equipped with latest-generation LiDAR, communication capabilities, and 360-degree data fusion-based perception techniques.
• Skyonyx UAV UAV architecture based on professional drones using Pixhawk autopilots, equipped with GNSS, magnetometers, IMUs, barometer, thermal sensors, 3D cameras, thermal cameras, monocular cameras, and on-board processing via embedded computers (Intel NUC, ODROID-XU4).
• 3D Printed UAV Research Fleet Fleet of research 3D-printed quadcopters (PLA plastic, 1.5Kg total weight) using Pixhawk autopilot with GPS, magnetometer, IMU, barometer, SJCAM SJ4000 camera on Walkera G-2D gimbal, and ODROID-XU4 embedded computer.
• Perception Technologies Portfolio Comprehensive perception software portfolio including deep learning for image detection, semantic segmentation, image re-identification, 3D detection (LiDAR-based), sensor fusion, 3D reconstruction, SLAM, localization, multi-object tracking, traffic monitoring, and quality control applications.
• Vehicular Technologies Portfolio Autonomous vehicle technologies including deep learning object detection, 3D detection (BirdNet), tracking and data fusion, indoor/outdoor localization and mapping, 3D traffic sign classification (YOLOv3 CNN), V2X communications (V2V, V2I, V2P), autonomous control systems, and multi-sensor calibration (open-source on GitHub).
• UAV Technologies Portfolio Unmanned Aerial Vehicle technologies including visual odometry pose estimation (SIFT, FREAK), obstacle detection and avoidance, Simulated Annealing path planning, autonomous landing (OpenCV), fuzzy and semi-automatic reactive flight control, UAV-UGV cooperation, and UAV swarm coordination.

Quantifiable outcome

• First Level 4 autonomous vehicle to perform public demonstrations in Spain
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability9 records

Feature12 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BoschcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate industry partner collaborating with AMPL on autonomous mobility technologies and perception systems.
• RenaultcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomotive manufacturer collaborating on autonomous vehicle research and development activities.
• SigmacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcomobility project consortium partner providing intelligent electrical mobility solutions.
• CT IngenieroscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcomobility project consortium partner contributing engineering expertise for electrical mobility solutions.
• IdneocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSafePerception project partner providing 5G communication capabilities for real-time road environment digitalization and accident reconstruction.
• AquafrischminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial partner for perception technologies and infrastructure applications.
• SercoreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology partner for perception and sensing solutions.
• SeeviaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner for connected mobility technologies.
• Movvo RobotiksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRobotics company partner for autonomous systems development.
• TelefónicaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTelecommunications partner for connected mobility and V2X communication solutions.
• AcerinoxminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerManufacturing partner for industrial perception and quality control applications.
• Dutch ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational consortium partner in Ecomobility project contributing map digitalization techniques.
• Spanish Ministry of Industry and Trade (MINCOTUR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDIVEC project funder (VEC-O20100-2022-225; VEC-O20400-2022-54) supporting electric and connected vehicle research under PERTE VEC initiative.
• Spanish State Research Agency (AEI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerM-PAC project funder (PID2021-128327OA-I00) under 'Generación del Conocimiento' 2021 call, funded by MCIN/AEI and European Union ERDF.
• TARGET-X ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSafePerception subproject under Horizon Europe grant agreement No. 101096614, focused on 5G/6G digital transformation across energy, construction, automotive, and manufacturing sectors.
• PLIADES ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAI-enabled data lifecycles optimization project under Horizon Europe grant agreement No. 101135988, connecting EU data spaces.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Comma.ai: Open-source-focused autonomous driving startup building driver-assistance software using computer vision and neural networks. Comparable to AMPL on open-publication ethos and learning-based perception, though at consumer/commercial product scale rather than academic.

Broad incumbents

• Aptiv: Global automotive technology supplier with active ADAS, autonomous mobility, V2X, and sensor-fusion programs. Overlaps with AMPL's perception and connected-vehicle research, but operates at commercial scale across full vehicle integration.
• Bosch Research: Corporate research arm of Bosch, one of AMPL's named industry partners. Works on perception, sensor fusion, V2X, and autonomous driving, overlapping directly with AMPL's research portfolio but with vastly greater commercial resources.
• Valeo: Global Tier-1 supplier with strong autonomous vehicle perception, LiDAR (SCALA), and sensor-fusion capabilities. Comparable as an industry incumbent with overlapping research topics and industry-partner profile to AMPL.
• Mobileye (Intel): Global incumbent supplying computer vision, LiDAR processing, and autonomous driving stacks to OEMs. Overlaps with AMPL's perception, mapping (REM), V2X, and multi-sensor fusion work, but at commercial automotive-grade scale and breadth.

Regional players

• Tier IV: Japan-based autonomous driving leader originating from Nagoya University and the Autoware open-source project. Directly comparable to AMPL in combining academic origin, open-source autonomy software, and applied autonomous vehicle research, with regional rather than global commercial focus.

Direct peers

• Wayve: UK-based autonomous driving company building AI-first perception and driving models using deep learning on multimodal sensor data. Directly comparable to AMPL's autonomous vehicle perception, sensor fusion, and learning-based autonomy research, though operating at commercial scale.
• Aurora Innovation: US autonomous driving technology company developing the Aurora Driver across multiple vehicle platforms using computer vision, sensor fusion, and HD mapping. Closely comparable to AMPL's autonomous vehicle perception, localization, and planning research focus.
• Oxford Robotics Institute: University of Oxford research group focused on autonomous vehicles, multi-robot systems, UAVs, SLAM, and computer vision. Highly comparable to AMPL as an academic lab pursuing applied autonomy, perception, and UAV research with industry partners.
• UC Berkeley DeepDrive: UC Berkeley industry-affiliated research consortium on autonomous driving and computer vision. Comparable to AMPL in combining academic research, deep learning perception, and active industry collaboration with automotive partners.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AMPL_UC3M
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCfqeOk1ElJ1-VfSYCs_nL4A
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/amperceptionlab

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Autonomous Mobility and Perception Lab