Belgium Greenlights EU's First Level 4 Autonomous Highway Tests with Maserati GranTurismo
July 9, 2026
Aidoptation emphasizes ongoing collaboration with automakers and envisions future integration of EdgeDrive into other car brands, contingent on successful partnerships.
Aidoptation aims to improve highway safety by addressing high-speed edge cases and real-world driving conditions, with the goal of reducing fatalities from high-speed crashes.
Aidoptation BV has secured authorization from Belgian authorities to run the EU’s first fully autonomous Level 4 highway tests on public roads, spanning 100 km of the E313 and E314 in Limburg at speeds up to 120 kph.
Support from government and industry figures highlights safety benefits and Belgium’s leadership in smart mobility, with endorsements from officials in Flanders and Ethias.
Testing will employ a Maserati GranTurismo Folgore outfitted with LiDAR, radar, cameras and robotics hardware to enable Level 4 operation without human control, though a safety driver will monitor and can intervene if needed.
Ethias, the Belgian insurer, backs the project and provides coverage; Aidoptation began operations in 2025 and is backed by investors including LRM, SFPIM, Ethias Ventures and Belfius Bank.
The on-road trials in Belgium complement extensive proving-ground work across sites such as Ford Lommel Proving Grounds, DronePort, Spa-Francorchamps and Zolder to validate EdgeDrive in diverse conditions.
The permit supports Aidoptation’s broader mission to cut fatalities in high-speed highway crashes by advancing safe autonomous driving in challenging highway scenarios, including obstacle avoidance.
Industry leaders and Flemish government representatives stress that this milestone could strengthen Belgium’s position in European smart mobility and autonomous driving innovation.
Key supporters include Ethias and regional authorities in Flanders who emphasize safety, economic growth and leadership in next-generation mobility.
The testing focuses on edge-case maneuvers and crash-avoidance at highway speeds to demonstrate real-world safety and reliability for wider adoption.
The milestone positions Europe, and especially Flanders, as a potential leader in autonomous driving, signaling progress toward broader deployment amid ongoing safety and regulatory questions about deterministic, no-AI driving systems.
Summary based on 6 sources
Get a daily email with more Startups stories
Sources

The Next Web • Jul 9, 2026
This EU-first robocar tests at 120 km/h, and uses no AI to drive
Business Wire • Jul 9, 2026
Aidoptation Receives Approval for First Fully Autonomous Driving Tests on Highways in the European Union
Bastillepost 巴士的報 • Jul 9, 2026
Aidoptation Receives Approval for First Fully Autonomous Driving Tests on Highways in the European Union