SAE International, GM, and Students Gear up for AutoDrive Challenge Year 2 at Mcity

May 21, 2019

Courtney E. Howard

SAE International® and General Motors are prepping for the AutoDrive Challenge™ Year 2 Competition May 29 through June 4, 2019, at the Mcity Test Facility, a purpose-built proving ground for connected and automated vehicles and technologies at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

SAE International and General Motors have partnered on the AutoDrive Challenge, a unique Collegiate Design Series program that enables university students to participate in hands-on autonomous development and learning using leading-edge technology. At its core, AutoDrive integrates safety and social responsibility in a changing environment of mobility over the course of three years.

Throughout the three years, competition students focus on autonomous technologies and allow for modification, integration of sensors, and controlled testing. They work with 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. The competition also enables students to explore their role in the changing mobility ecosystem and the challenges autonomous technology brings with it.

General Motors provided each team with a Chevrolet Bolt EV as the vehicle platform. Strategic partners and suppliers will aid the students in their technology development by providing an array of sensors and software. 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.

Courtney E. Howard is editorial director and content strategist at SAE International. Contact her by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..