The MINDED project is addressing some of the most pressing challenges in the mobility sector, including the optimization of electric vehicle (EV) range and thermal comfort systems. We spoke with Filippo Catalano, Project Coordinator for IVECO, to gain insights into his role in the project and how MINDED is contributing to a greener, more sustainable future. Below is our interview with Filippo.
1. Your Institution
IVECO
2. Your full name
Filippo Catalano
3. What is your role in the project?
Project Coordinator for IVECO
4. What are the main challenges the mobility industry is facing?
- Electric Vehicles and emission reduction
- Connected Vehicles and urbanization
- Autonomous Vehicles and liability
5. How is the MINDED project responding to these challenges?
For the first challenge, the MINDED project targets increasing the minibus electric vehicle range by 20% at 0° Celsius, improving and optimizing the thermal system and comfort.
6. What research are you conducting at your institution, and how is it applied in the MINDED project?
IVECO is the MINDED partner responsible for providing the minibus vehicle. While no specific research from IVECO is applied directly in the MINDED project, the company is actively engaged in other research initiatives that cannot be disclosed at the moment.
7. How do you collaborate with other partners in the MINDED project to achieve your goals?
By communicating, discussing, comparing, and agreeing almost daily.
8. How is your institution benefiting from participating in the MINDED project?
The MINDED project represents the pre-development phase, which is one of the most time-consuming stages of the project plan.
For IVECO and other partners, the project will provide an already optimized solution for a complex problem, delivering cutting-edge technology for thermal comfort that is close to being industrialized by OEMs.
9. How do you envision the results of MINDED contributing to a more sustainable world?
The outcomes of the MINDED project could play a significant role in optimizing both private vehicles and public transportation, reducing energy consumption, and improving efficiency.
Radiant panels and optimized management strategies introduced in the project to warm up the vehicle cabin might become smart solutions, combining passenger thermal comfort with low energy consumption.
10. Looking to the future, what impact do you think the MINDED project will have on the industry and society as a whole?
MINDED might serve as a milestone in the journey toward green vehicles for future smart cities—technologically advanced urban environments where sustainability, efficiency, and quality of life are prioritized.
11. What do you like to do outside of work? Favourite hobbies or pastimes?
Sailing, traveling with family, and spending time with friends.
