SAE AUTODRIVE CHALLENGE: A NEW GENERATION OF AUTONOMOUS ENGINEERS - AUTOLINE AFTER HOURS 467

EV Channels Review

This episode of Autoline After Hours delves into the SAE AutoDrive Challenge, a collaborative effort between SAE International and General Motors aimed at cultivating the next generation of autonomous vehicle engineers. The program provides eight universities with Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles, stripped of driver assistance systems, challenging students to develop Level 4 autonomous capabilities. The discussion highlights the critical role of industry partnerships, with companies like Intel, Continental, and Velodyne supplying essential components such as compute platforms, radar, and lidar. Students, like Lindsey Malson from Kettering University and Keenan Burnett from the University of Toronto, share their experiences, emphasizing the complexity of mapping, perception, and system integration. The program's three-year structure is designed to progressively increase the challenge, moving from static obstacles to dynamic scenarios and infrastructure connectivity. General Motors, represented by Dan Nicholson, VP of Electrification, Controls, Software & Electronics, underscores the initiative's importance in building the STEM pipeline and fostering innovation towards their 'Zero Zero Zero' mission (zero emissions, zero congestion, zero crashes). The episode effectively showcases the dedication, ingenuity, and collaborative spirit driving the future of autonomous technology.