About 2025 ACC Self-Driving Car Student Competition
The ACC Self-Driving Car Student Competition is a premier event held during the annual American Control Conference (ACC).
This competition challenges engineering students to design, develop, and demonstrate self-driving car skills and technologies. It will be held in Denver, CO, July 8 to 10, 2025
In this year’s competition, students will try to maximize their profits as an autonomous taxi service. They will need to navigate through the city to requested pick up and drop off coordinates. During the trip, they will encounter different traffic scenarios that they will need to solve while adhering to the rules of the road. Depending on their performance during the trip, the students will receive a rating for their ride that will influence the amount of money earned for the completion of the ride. Students will then receive additional ride requests and will try to maximize the amount of money they earn within a fixed timeframe.
Challenge
The 2025 competition is more than just a contest—it’s a launchpad for future engineers!
It is a fantastic opportunity for engineering students to apply their knowledge, innovate, and prepare for careers in self-driving technology and Applied AI.
- Skill Building through Immersive Learning: Sharpen essential skills in Applied AI, such as machine learning, visual processing, state estimation, and vehicle control, while solving complex, real-world problems.
- Multi-Stage Process: From virtual design and submission to algorithm validation on Quanser’s state-of-the-art QCar 2, the competition will culminate in an exciting on-site demonstration at ACC 2025!
- Simulates real-world driving demands: Pick tasks from the daily list and drive to complete as many as possible within the time limit with your QCar 2 to earn points!
- Real-Time Decision-making: Teams must build advanced control systems capable of navigating circuits, responding to stop signs and traffic signals, and avoiding obstacles in real-time.
- Hands-On Applications: Participants bring their virtual designs to life by deploying them on physical QCars, bridging the gap between theory and practice.
- Prestige and Recognition: Showcase your talent on a global stage, win awards, and enhance your academic and professional profile with notable achievements.