Aidoptation has received approval from Belgian federal and regional authorities to begin Level 4 autonomous driving tests on public highways, allowing the company to evaluate its technology across 100 kilometers of the E313 and E314 motorways in the province of Limburg.
The permit was issued by Belgium’s Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport (FOD) and the Flemish Agency for Roads and Traffic (AWV). According to Aidoptation, the authorization marks the first approval for Level 4 autonomous driving tests at highway speeds on public roads within the European Union.
Testing will be conducted at speeds of up to 120 kilometers per hour, the maximum posted speed limit on the approved highway sections.
Highway Testing to Use Electric Maserati Platform
Aidoptation will carry out the testing using a Maserati GranTurismo Folgore electric vehicle equipped with lidar, radar and camera sensors, along with additional robotics hardware designed to support Level 4 autonomous driving.
Before receiving approval for public-road testing, the company spent approximately one year evaluating the technology at several controlled facilities, including the Ford Lommel Proving Grounds, DronePort runway, Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps and Circuit Zolder.
The public-road program will follow a phased approach under safety protocols agreed with Belgian authorities. A trained safety driver will remain inside the vehicle during testing and will be able to assume control if required.
Company Targets Highway Autonomous Driving
Aidoptation said the testing program is intended to collect real-world operating data and evaluate autonomous driving performance in highway environments.
Paul Mitchell, chief executive officer of Aidoptation, said the approval represents an important step for the company and the broader autonomous driving sector.
“Being the first to test fully autonomous Level 4 technology on EU highways is a milestone moment for Aidoptation, the Belgian innovation ecosystem, and the broader autonomous driving industry. Autonomous driving has enormous potential to improve safety and mobility, but commercial adoption will depend on demonstrating safe performance in the most demanding highway scenarios.”
Aidoptation was established in 2025 as a commercial spin-off from the Indy Autonomous Challenge. The company’s Level 4 autonomous driving platform, known as EdgeDrive, is designed for highway operation at speeds of 120 kilometers per hour and above where permitted.
According to the company, the system uses deterministic models to support emergency maneuvers, obstacle avoidance and high-speed hazard response.
Belgian Authorities Support Autonomous Mobility Testing
The testing project is insured by Belgian insurer Ethias, which said it supports the initiative because of its potential to improve road safety and advance mobility technology.
Flemish Mobility Minister Annick De Ridder said the approval reflects the region’s ambitions in autonomous vehicle development.
“Autonomous driving is no longer science fiction. Around the world, we are reaching a tipping point, and Flanders should not merely follow; it should lead.”
The approval adds Belgium to the growing number of European countries permitting public-road testing of advanced autonomous driving technologies under regulatory supervision.