Hungarian tech aims to reduce skidding-related crashes

A research team at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics has developed a vehicle-control technology that maintains steering authority even after a car begins to skid.
The system received an EU patent this summer and is expected to enter the U.S. process soon.
Researchers believe the innovation could significantly improve road safety by preventing many loss-of-control accidents.

Breakthrough control concept for post-skid situations

A research group at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) has introduced a vehicle-control method designed to guide cars even after traction is lost. The system intervenes when the vehicle begins to slide and executes controlled maneuvers that keep the car on a predictable path. Engineers view this as a major shift from conventional stability programs, which typically rely on restoring grip to maintain control. Developers argue that the new approach expands the number of viable movement trajectories available once a skid begins, giving vehicles more options to avoid dangerous situations.

The invention stands out because it does not attempt to regain traction as its primary objective. Instead, it stabilizes the car during the slide itself, which is a phase where drivers often lose situational awareness. Test results have shown that the technology can outperform even highly trained drivers by making precisely timed decisions during critical events. Such findings suggest substantial potential for reducing accidents caused by oversteer, understeer, or sudden surface changes on the road.

The research team has already secured a unified European patent for the system, indicating that reviewers found the concept both novel and technically feasible. A U.S. patent application is expected to follow, reflecting the researchers’ intent to enter global markets. Patent protection gives the developers time to refine the system and explore potential automotive partnerships. It also provides a foundation for commercialization in a sector that demands strict validation and safety evidence.

The project aligns with long-term trends in vehicle technology, including the shift toward more automated driving functions. Many manufacturers seek new methods to handle extreme loss-of-control events, which remain a challenge even for advanced driver-assistance systems. This technology opens the door to future safety architectures that rely less on preventing skids and more on operating safely within them. The approach could eventually integrate with autonomous systems that need deterministic control under unpredictable road conditions.

How the system works in real-world scenarios

The team designed the technology to assume control when a skid exceeds the limits of conventional stability programs. During such moments, electronic stability control (ESC) frequently reaches its operational boundary, leaving drivers without effective assistance. The new method applies a drift-style maneuver to guide the vehicle intentionally through the slide while preserving directional control. Engineers emphasize that this technique is not a performance feature but a safety tool meant to navigate emergency situations.

The system accounts for varying road surfaces, including snow, ice, wet asphalt, or dry pavement. Each surface creates different friction levels, yet the technology adjusts its calculations in real time. Drivers typically need rapid reactions and precise steering inputs to recover from skids, which is why many lose control even at moderate speeds. This solution reduces reliance on human reaction speed and instead uses continuous monitoring to coordinate vehicle movement.

Initial testing demonstrated results that surprised even experienced evaluators. Researchers found that the system consistently predicted optimal steering and torque adjustments faster than professional drivers could. These findings suggest practical applications for both consumer vehicles and specialized fleets. The concept may eventually support heavy-duty vehicles or public-transport fleets, where stability incidents can cause large-scale harm.

A representative from the research team, Associate Professor Zsolt Szalay, highlighted the challenge drivers face in sudden skids. He noted that most people struggle to make correct decisions earlier than a fraction of a second, while the system performs calculations continuously. Expert drivers can manage such situations only through extensive training, yet the automated method surpasses even their capabilities. This level of performance reinforces expectations that the technology could significantly raise safety standards.

Industry implications and path toward adoption

The system was developed within Hungary’s National Laboratory for Autonomous Systems, which supports projects that advance vehicle intelligence and safety. This environment helped researchers combine control theory, real-time software, and vehicle-dynamics modeling into a cohesive solution. Manufacturers may view the technology as a tool to reduce crashes that stem from unpredictable conditions rather than mechanical failures. Such scenarios remain difficult to handle with today’s driver-assistance systems, making this approach a potential complement to existing safety layers.

Patent approval in the European Union provides the framework needed for technology transfer. Automotive firms often require legal protection before adopting novel concepts into production pipelines that span several years. The developers now have the opportunity to build prototypes with industry partners and validate performance on different vehicle platforms. Long-term integration may lead to new safety categories that reflect the ability to maintain control even when grip is lost.

Adoption of the technology could also support broader innovation in automated driving. Current autonomous systems rely heavily on maintaining traction to execute planned paths, which limits their performance in adverse weather. This invention introduces a model for controlled movement in states previously treated as failures. Future implementations might combine the system with advanced AI-based prediction algorithms to enhance situational understanding during skids.

The Hungarian automotive research ecosystem continues to grow, and this project illustrates how local innovation can attract international attention. Universities and industry partners increasingly focus on technologies that improve resilience against unexpected road events. Safer vehicles not only reduce injuries but also lower societal and economic costs. Such developments highlight the role academic research can play in shaping next-generation mobility solutions.