Student Teams to Compete in Autonomous Vehicle Challenge

Teams from eight universities in the U.S. and Canada have been selected to compete in the AutoDrive Challenge to develop and demonstrate fully autonomous vehicles.

The three-year program, which will be sponsored by General Motors Co. and SAE International, features teams from Kettering University, Michigan State University, Michigan Tech, North Carolina A&T University, Texas A&M University, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo and Virginia Tech. Each team will get a Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle to modify for full autonomous driving (SAE level 4).

Participants will develop sensing technologies, computing platforms, software design implementation and advanced computation methods such as computer vision, pattern recognition, machine learning, artificial intelligence, sensor fusion and autonomous vehicle controls. Strategic partners and suppliers will provide vehicle parts and software, and the teams will be invited to attend technology-specific workshops to help them throughout the program.

During the first year, which starts this autumn, teams will complete a concept design and learn about sensing and computation software. The second year will focus on refining the concept and competing in more challenging tests, including dynamic object detection and multiple lane changing.

The last year will involve turnabouts, moving object detection, high-speed maneuvers and final validation. On-site testing will be conducted at GM's proving grounds in Yuma, Ariz.