Polimi's Autonomous Driving Project: Shaping the Future of AI and Urban Mobility

Why Canadian students should explore AI studies at Italy's Politecnico di Milano.

Why AIDA matters

AIDA — Autonomous Artificial Intelligence Driving — is a groundbreaking research initiative led by Politecnico di Milano (Polimi) as part of MOST, Italy's National Centre for Sustainable Mobility. Its mission? To tackle pressing urban mobility challenges through advanced AI and autonomous driving technologies.

The AIDA project aims to create a robust, highly efficient autonomous driving system that can safely operate on public roads in real-world, complex scenarios while fully adhering to traffic laws. This technology is seen as a cornerstone for building a sustainable future in mobility that truly meets citizens' needs.

To reach this goal, the technology must be tested and applied across diverse environments, each with varying levels of complexity and distinct objectives.

The mobility challenge

Urban areas face critical issues: high car density (750 cars per 1,000 residents), low annual mileage (just 10,000 km per car), and underutilized vehicles — 85% of cars sit idle most of the day. While electric car-sharing offers partial relief, it struggles with accessibility and economic sustainability.

AIDA's vision for smarter cities

The project explores autonomous, shared vehicles that optimize travel time, energy use, and reduce congestion and emissions. Safety improvements and seamless integration with charging infrastructure are central goals.

Check out this YouTube video to learn more about the AIDA project:

Innovative concepts driving AIDA

• Robo-Sharing: Combines car-sharing with autonomous delivery. Cars drive themselves to users, parking spots, or charging hubs. Low-speed operations (max 30 km/h) minimize risk, while remote supervision handles rare edge cases.
• Robo-Linking: An on-demand, autonomous shuttle designed for multi-modal mobility across urban and highway networks.
• Robo-Caring: A low-speed service supporting vulnerable populations in small towns — helping them reach pharmacies, hospitals, and essential services safely and comfortably.

Why study AI at Polimi?

By joining Politecnico di Milano, you'll engage with pioneering projects like AIDA, gaining hands-on experience in AI applications that redefine mobility. From algorithm design to real-world testing, Polimi offers a unique opportunity to shape sustainable, intelligent transportation systems.