SAE International and General Motors (GM) have partnered to headline sponsor AutoDrive Challenge, the latest of SAE International’s Collegiate Design Series.

This three-year autonomous vehicle competition will task students to develop and demonstrate a full autonomous driving passenger vehicle. The technical goal of the competition is to navigate an urban driving course in an automated driving mode as described by SAE Standard (J3016) level 4 definition by year three.

“SAE International is excited to expand our partnership with GM to build the future STEM workforce through the AutoDrive Challenge,” said Chris Ciuca, director of pre-professional programs at SAE International.

“Building on our success through programs like Formula SAE, the AutoDrive Challenge launches a new platform to engage industry and academia in working toward a common goal of preparing the brightest young minds for the future of autonomous technologies.”

During the AutoDrive Challenge, students will focus on autonomous technologies and allow for modification and testing throughout the three-year competition. General Motors will provide a Chevrolet Bolt EV to competing schools to use as the platform for their autonomous vehicle solutions. The focus will be on real-world applications of 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.

“AutoDrive Challenge is another way General Motors is preparing the next generation of automotive engineers,” said Ken Kelzer, GM vice president of global vehicle components and subsystems. “By partnering with SAE, we will offer a unique experience for students to work with industry professionals to tackle the next big opportunity facing vehicle technology – autonomous driving.”

Throughout the AutoDrive Challenge competition cycle, students and faculty will be invited to attend technology specific workshops to help them in their concept refinement and overall autonomous technical understanding. The competition will consist of up to 10 teams from select universities that were invited to participate in the inaugural competition. These foundational teams will be announced April 2017. The first of three yearly competitions will take place in spring 2018.