In a world rapidly accelerating toward autonomy, self-driving technology has moved from science fiction to the streets — and into the hands of the next generation of innovators. As algorithms evolve to make split-second decisions in complex, ever-changing environments, one truth remains: the future of mobility depends on how well these systems understand and respond to the world around them.
The ACC Self-Driving Car Student Competition returns for another thrilling edition — this time in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, from May 26–28, 2026.
Winner Announcement
Quanser’s 2026 ACC Self-Driving Car Student Competition has wrapped up with a first-time champion. Kettering University claimed the title in their debut appearance, coming first out of a global field of 55 teams – nine of which competed in the live finals at the American Control Conference in New Orleans. Teams tested their self-driving algorithms on the QCar 2 in a real-world Smart City environment, with finalists Kookmin University and York University also having strong performances. Congratulations to all nine teams who made this year’s competition a standout showcase of talent in controls, robotics, and autonomous systems. See you at ACC 2027 in Philadelphia!