Tecnun Takes the First Step Toward Autonomous Driving

The Tecnun automotive team has taken its first step toward autonomous driving with the development its own technology. The challenge is to implement it in their single-seater to compete in the modality of the next international edition of Formula Student. “The work has consisted of creating a system that allows the vehicle to drive itself around the track at the highest possible speed without veering off,” explained Miguel Oroz, head of area Autonomous area Tecnun . To achieve this, they have relied on the guidance of researchers from Tecnun and Ceit.

In this context, on Friday, April 17, Tecnun presented a preview during an internal session titled“No One Behind the Wheel,”with the goal showcasing the students’ work to researchers at Tecnun Ceit. The presentation was organized in collaboration with Joshué Pérez, Ceit Deputy Director Transportation and Sustainable Mobility, who has helped train the student body this field.

“We want everyone within the organization to know what they’re doing, so we can create new synergies and foster a collaborative relationship between the team and the researchers at Tecnun Ceit. Their work, which is impactful, can serve as a platform for research,” emphasized the team’s faculty advisor, Julie Laurent.

For his part, Ceit researcher Joshué Pérez expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to work with “such passionate young people who are eager to learn” and highlighted the team’s rapid progress, as well as their ability to turn ideas into results in a short amount of time.

In terms of technology, the race car is equipped with cameras, GPS, and inertial sensors that allow it to perceive its surroundings. Based on that information, algorithms interpret the status make decisions, which are then translated into actions on the vehicle via the steering wheel, accelerator, and brakes. This development built on the foundation of the existing car, to which a “layer of intelligence” has been added—first validated in simulation and soon to begin track testing.

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