The Murcia-based startup A4Radar, which generated €1.5 million in 2025, and the SUM+LAB group from the University of Cantabria have been selected by Misión Andalucía to validate their radar technology in Alhaurín de la Torre (Málaga). The system, which does not use cameras, allows traffic monitoring while preserving privacy.
A4Radar, the deep tech startup founded in 2020 at the Scientific Park of Murcia, has taken a key step in its expansion by being selected alongside the SUM+LAB group from the University of Cantabria to develop a traffic management solution in Alhaurín de la Torre (Málaga). The real-world validation is part of Misión Andalucía, an open innovation programme that connects tech startups with public entities to solve urban mobility issues.
The company generated €1.5 million in revenue in 2025, multiplying its income fivefold compared to the previous year, and has 8 employees. Its technology, based on millimetre-wave radar (mmWave) with integrated artificial intelligence, allows for the detection of occupancy, speed, and obstacles without the need for cameras, ensuring citizens' privacy.
A radar technology that respects privacy
The system developed by A4Radar operates at frequencies of 24/60/77/120 GHz in unlicensed ISM bands, combining compact System-on-Chip (SoC) hardware with AI algorithms for real-time processing. Unlike video surveillance systems, this radar does not capture images but measures variables such as speed, traffic density, and vital signs (breathing, pulse) with millimetre precision.
Francisco Salmerón, CEO of A4Radar, emphasises that this validation in Alhaurín de la Torre is a strategic step to demonstrate the effectiveness of their technology in a real environment. The project is supported by the SUM+LAB group from the University of Cantabria, which contributes its expertise in signal processing and radar systems.
Misión Andalucía: a bridge between startups and administrations
Misión Andalucía is an initiative driven by the Innovation and Development Agency of Andalusia (INVANTE) and the Ministry of Economy, Knowledge and Enterprise of the Andalusian Government, co-financed with ERDF funds. The programme aims to solve specific industry and societal problems by connecting tech startups with public entities and large Andalusian corporations.
For founders of startups in the smart city sector, this case illustrates how public-private collaboration can accelerate technological validation and open doors to contracts with local administrations. A4Radar had previously participated in other open innovation programmes, such as the BIND accelerator from the Basque Government and the European project 5GLOGIC, where it implemented radar sensors in autonomous vehicles.
A growing trajectory in deep tech
The Murcia-based startup has achieved international recognition: in October 2025, it was one of the 3 Spanish startups finalists at the South Summit Korea, and in 2026, it reached the finals of the South Summit Madrid among 4,500 startups from around the world. These milestones validate its technology to investors and potential clients.
A4Radar holds complete intellectual property (hardware, software, and embedded algorithms), allowing it to offer verticalised solutions with higher margins. Its B2B business model targets integrators, Tier 1 companies, and research centres across four verticals: Smart City, Industry 4.0, eHealth, and Automotive.
For entrepreneurs interested in the sector, the key lies in A4Radar's ability to scale from the lab to real-world implementation, a path many deep tech startups strive to traverse. The validation in Alhaurín de la Torre could be the springboard towards more ambitious contracts with other local and regional administrations.
The startup hopes that this pilot test in Málaga will demonstrate the reliability of its system and open new opportunities in the smart mobility market. The next step will be the integration of the collected data into the municipality's traffic management platforms, expected in the coming months.
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