On June 18, 2025, a self-driving car demonstration took place in Ādaži, alongside discussions on the future of this type of transport in Latvia. The event was organized by the Latvian State Roads (LVC), LMT, and the Institute of Electronics and Computer Science (EDI) in the scope of AUGMENTED CCAM – an EU-funded project, aimed at augmenting physical and digital infrastructure readiness to enable the use of cooperative, connected, and automated mobility solutions.
The AUGMENTED CCAM project presented its progress, highlighting the need for precise digital infrastructure (like maps) and stable internet for autonomous cars. Contrary to common belief, autonomous vehicles can operate on gravel roads and those not in excellent condition, a finding confirmed by demo participants who rode in the vehicles on Ādaži’s streets.
In the project, LMT has been developing a solution for 5G localization, ensuring that the 5G mobile networks can be used for locating autonomous vehicles, serving as a significant supplement or a reliable alternative to existing positioning technologies.
"To develop connected and autonomous mobility, both the availability of suitable physical infrastructure and the provision of digital infrastructure and services for autonomous cars, pedestrians, and other traffic participants are essential. LMT's representation and acquired knowledge in the 5G Automotive Association, experience, and leadership in 5G technology deployment provide significant added value to the project, demonstrating that the 5G mobile network can be used for determining the location of autonomous vehicles, which can serve as an important supplement or a safe alternative to existing positioning technologies,"
noted Aigars Runčis, Ventures Department Director at LMT.“LMT is purposefully investing in 5G network development throughout Latvia. For example, in 2025, the EU co-funded 5G-NETC project was completed, which involved the full-scale 5G coverage deployment on the Via Baltica section from the Lithuanian to the Estonian borders,” Runčis added.
The self-driving cars in the demonstration were provided by EDI. The technology has been developed and improved at the institute for several years. Within the project, the functionality of these cars has been expanded to ensure operation in specific scenarios.
“Thanks to participation in such international projects, we can not only gain experience from other countries but also gain confidence that, from an infrastructure perspective, there are currently no major obstacles to the introduction of autonomous cars in Latvia,”
said Mārtiņš Lazdovskis, Chairman of the Board of LVC.During the event, a discussion about autonomous cars in Latvia also took place. It highlighted the urgent need for legislative changes to enable open-environment test drives. Such updates would unshackle Latvian scientific institutes and researchers, allowing them to develop, test, and commercialize self-driving transport technologies more easily.
The project has also tested transport information systems that can promptly inform traffic participants about various situations and obstacles on the road in areas with, for example, limited visibility. Such devices can also be used in regular traffic, and their information can be available to drivers whose vehicles are equipped with the relevant devices that can communicate with road transport information systems.
The AUGMENTED CCAM project consortium unites 26 partners from 12 European countries and an associated partner from Switzerland. It is coordinated by the Forum of European National Highway Research Laboratories (FEHRL). Latvia is represented by LMT, Latvian State Roads, and the Institute of Electronics and Computer Science. Infrastructure testing is taking place in three countries: Spain – in closed and open city traffic environments; France – in closed and open highway traffic; and Latvia – in closed and open suburban environments, specifically at the Biķernieki racetrack and in Ādaži.
The AUGMENTED CCAM Project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme under Grant Agreement No. 101069717.