A smart, lightweight and sustainable door for future supercars

This is the objective of the CLEAR project, funded by the Abruzzo Region (Italy) and launched by Comec Innovative together with three other companies (ACS, Addyx and Ud'Anet) and the University of L'Aquila

3 August 2026

A supercar door manufactured from composite materials (partially recycled) and integrated with advanced sensing systems and artificial intelligence capable of detecting obstacles, objects and external situations while automatically optimizing its operation. This is the objective of the CLEAR research and development project, officially launched a few days ago by a consortium of companies, research organizations and universities based in the Abruzzo region (Italy).

The project, led by Comec Innovative as the lead partner, also involves Advanced Composites Solutions (ACS), Addyx, Ud'Anet (a company owned by the University Gabriele d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara) and the University of L'Aquila. It has been funded by the Abruzzo Region under the FESR 2021-2027 Programme (Actions 1.1.1.2 and 1.1.2.1 – CUP C79J25003010007).

More specifically, the project aims to develop a technological demonstrator of an eccentric door automotive system, such as butterfly or gullwing doors.

Among the project's most significant challenges is reducing the environmental impact of the component through the use of recycled composite materials and the resulting structural weight reduction of the door, while fully meeting the required stiffness standards and the most demanding functional opening tests.

Another key area of innovation is the development of a smart door equipped with advanced sensing technologies and capable of collecting and processing real-time data through artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms.

The development programme, which effectively paves the way for a new generation of intelligent automotive components, goes beyond the design of the component itself. It also includes the definition and validation of the entire manufacturing process chain required for industrial production, with the objective of achieving Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 8, bringing the technology close to market deployment.

The kick-off meeting, held a few days ago at Comec Innovative's headquarters in Chieti (Italy) officially marked the start of the project activities, defining the allocation of responsibilities among the partners across the respective work packages and planning the first operational phases. The project will run for a total duration of 30 months.