The e²LEAD project has been honoured with the Xecs Innovation Award 2026 during the Xecs Matchmaking Event in Vienna, recognising its achievements in developing advanced packaging technologies for the next generation of automotive supercomputing platforms.
The award was received on behalf of the consortium by Project Leader Przemyslaw Jakub Gromala, Robert Bosch GmbH.
Xecs, the Eureka Network Cluster operated by AENEAS, supports industry-driven collaborative R&D across the Electronic Components and Systems (ECS) value chain. Building on the tradition of the former PENTA Innovation Award, the Xecs Innovation Award recognises outstanding collaborative projects that turn ambitious technological challenges into innovation with tangible industrial potential.
Enabling European leadership in automotive supercomputing
As vehicles become increasingly automated, the computing systems behind them need to process and exchange enormous amounts of information in real time, while meeting demanding requirements for reliability, safety, thermal management and power delivery.
e²LEAD – Enabling EU Leadership in automotive ECU for future Autonomous Driving addresses these challenges through advanced packaging technologies designed to enable automotive supercomputing platforms “Made in Europe.”
The project brings together developments across three closely connected research domains:
- Connectivity – high-performance data communication and advanced thermal interfacing;
- Technology – automotive chiplet packaging and Smart Power System (SPS) integration;
- Reliability and Safety – new testing strategies and digital twin-based design methods supporting more reliable and efficient development.
Through these innovations, e²LEAD contributes to the technological foundations needed for future highly automated and autonomous vehicles, while reinforcing European capabilities in strategically important automotive electronics and semiconductor technologies.
Collaboration at the heart of e²LEAD
Behind the technological achievements of e²LEAD stands a strong consortium bringing together complementary expertise from across the automotive and semiconductor value chains.
The project unites AUDI AG, Berliner Nanotest und Design GmbH, Boschman Technologies BV, CADFEM Germany GmbH, CARIAD SE, Delft University of Technology, Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems ENAS, ILFA GmbH, IWO Project BV, JIACO Instruments, Nexperia BV, Robert Bosch GmbH, Technical University of Chemnitz, and Technische Universität Berlin.
Together, the partners combine the perspectives of automotive manufacturers, semiconductor and component suppliers, advanced packaging specialists, engineering and simulation experts, SMEs, universities and research organisations.
This complementary expertise enables the consortium to work across the technology chain – from components, materials and packaging concepts to modelling, testing, system integration and validation – demonstrating the value of collaborative R&D in addressing complex technological challenges.
Led by Robert Bosch GmbH, the German-Dutch consortium illustrates the collaborative innovation model at the core of Xecs: connecting industrial needs with specialised technological expertise and research excellence to accelerate the journey from R&D to future industrial applications.
From PENTA to Xecs: continuing a tradition of innovation
The Xecs Innovation Award continues the tradition established by the PENTA Innovation Award, recognising projects that combine technological excellence, successful collaboration and strong potential for industrial impact.
As the organisation operating Xecs, AENEAS supports the Cluster in bringing together companies, SMEs, research organisations, universities and Public Authorities around collaborative, market-oriented innovation in Electronic Components and Systems.
The recognition of e²LEAD in Vienna highlights both the technological progress achieved by the project and the strength of the consortium behind it. It demonstrates how cross-border cooperation can help transform ambitious research into technologies supporting the future competitiveness and technological capabilities of European industry.
AENEAS warmly congratulates the entire e²LEAD consortium on receiving the Xecs Innovation Award 2026.