DRIVOLUTION: how we are implementing the Factory of the Future in the automotive sector with the support of the PRR and the European Union

Why this project is born

In recent years, the automotive sector context has been demanding more structured, sustainable and results-oriented responses, driven by the energy transition, industrial digitalization and the need to strengthen the competitiveness of the European industry.

The need to adapt to electric and hybrid mobility and the digital transformation of production processes, aligned with the principles of Industry 5.0, led to the development of the Drivolution project .

This operation aims to create and demonstrate a Factory of the Future, smarter, more sustainable, resilient and human-centric, contributing directly to the structural modernization of the automotive sector in Portugal, in alignment with the PRR strategic priorities.

What is the DRIVOLUTION operation

Drivolution is a mobilizing agenda oriented towards the development, testing and implementation of innovative solutions for the automotive sector, integrating research, technological development, industrialization and validation in a real environment.

The operation is financially supported by the PRR and the European Union , NextGenerationEU, allowing the acceleration of the transition to new productive, digital and sustainable models, through a broad consortium of industrial companies and entities of the scientific and technological system.o.

Objectives, activities and expected/achieved results

The Drivolution Agenda is an initiative geared towards the automotive industry, which develops a set of actions to develop new products, processes or services (PPS), based on 5 fundamental lines of action, which constitute strategic pillars for the sector, namely:

1. Digitalização;

2. Indústria 5.0;

3. Segurança e Ergonomia;

4. Materiais;

5. Capacitação especializada e digital.

The Drivolution Agenda involves 21 work package framed within these lines, resulting in 12 new PPS:

· PPS 1 , New Car Seats

· PPS 2 , Lighter Cable System

· PPS 3 , Pneumatic Lumbar Adjustment System

· PPS 4 , Automatic Defects Detection System

· PPS 5 , Self-Adaptive and Sensorial Coatings

· PPS 6 , New Multifunctional Plastic Components

· PPS 7 , Digital Lean Manufacturing Platform

· PPS 8 , Software to Support Drones for Indoor and Outdoor Inventory Operations

· PPS 9 , New Ventilators for Electric Cars

· PPS 10 , New Components for Electric AGVs for Heavy Loads

· PPS 11 , Recycled Batteries

· PPS 12 , Cabling System for Signal, Data and Power Transmission

In addition to the development of these PPS, the Drivolution Agenda results in additional gains for the automotive sector and the national industrial ecosystem, namely:

· Reduction of energy consumption, emissions and material waste

· Increase in productivity and operational efficiency

· Greater digitalization and automation of production processes

· Strengthening the technological and innovation capacity of the companies involved

In terms of impact, the operation contributes to competitiveness, innovation, sustainability, digitalization and economic resilience, strengthening the automotive sector's responsiveness in the medium and long term.

Investment and financial support

The execution of Drivolution is made possible through an investment framed within the scope of the PRR and the support of the European Union , NextGenerationEU.

· Total investment: 48.570.003,20 €

· EU Financial Support , Total: 33.972.401,73 €

· Investment by Luza Group: 1.292.439,50 €

· EU Financial Support , Luza Group: 820.150,91 €

· PRR Support: NextGenerationEU

Consortium

The operation is developed by a consortium of 37 entities, led by EDA , Estofagem de Assentos, Unipessoal Lda, and including the following partners:

· FICO CABLES , Fábrica de Acessórios e Equipamentos Industriais Lda

· CENTITVC , Centro de Nanotecnologia e Materiais Técnicos, Funcionais e Inteligentes

· CENTIMFE , Centro Tecnológico da Indústria de Moldes, Ferramentas Especiais e Plásticos

· C.M.E. , Construção e Manutenção Electromecânica, S.A.

· COPEFI , Components For Automotive, S.A.

· INESC TEC , Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores, Tecnologia e Ciência

· MOBINOV , Associação do Cluster Automóvel

· Montech Portugal, Unipessoal Lda

· SGS PORTUGAL , Sociedade Geral de Superintendência, S.A.

· SKILLAUGMENT, Lda

· Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo

· Instituto Pedro Nunes

· Universidade de Aveiro

· Instituto Politécnico do Cávado e do Ave

· Universidade do Minho

· Universidade de Coimbra

· Instituto Politécnico de Bragança

· Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto

· Ramada Aços, S.A.

· DURIT , Metalurgia Portuguesa do Tungstenio, Lda

· IBER-OLEFF , Componenetes Técnicos em Plástico, S.A.

· Edilásio Carreira da Silva, Lda

· Dual Borgstena Textile Portugal, Unipessoal Lda

· MOLDIT , Indústria de Moldes S.A.

· TEANDM , Tecnologia, Engenharia e Materiais S.A.

· Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal

· Rangel Distribuições e Logística, S.A.

· Associação Fibrenamics , Instituto de Inovação em Materiais Fibrosos e Compósitos

· ATEC , Association for Industry Training

· INTROSYS , Integração de Sistemas Robóticos, S.A.

· Associação CITIN , Centro de Interface Tecnológico Industrial

· COLAB , Laboratório Colaborativo Para Serviços de Inovação Orientados Para os Dados

· Universidade Nova de Lisboa

· Associação Universidade , Empresa Para o Desenvolvimento , TECMINHO

· Instituto Politécnico de Leiria

· Manuel da Conceição Graça, Lda

Project Factsheet (PDF)

Additionally, our operating model combines technical depth in engineering and technology, operational flexibility and a commitment to real results. We work with specialized outsourcing and full service projects, adapting each delivery to the level of maturity, urgency and complexity of each client.

In this way, more than just executing, we take responsibility. More than just promising, we deliver method, clarity and consistency.

Finally, 2025 left clear lessons. 2026 will demand even more conscious decisions.

Conclusion

Drivolution represents a structural step for the transformation of the automotive sector in Portugal, consolidating a Factory of the Future model that is more digital, sustainable, efficient and human-centric.

The operation is supported by the PRR and the European Union - NextGenerationEU, contributing to the strategic objectives of recovery, transformation, and resilience of the Portuguese economy. More information: www.recuperarportugal.gov.pt