The next VDI Autonomous Driving Challenge will take place as part of the renowned ELIV Conference 

Location: World Conference Center Bonn
Date: October 14 - 16, 2025

Be there when Europe's top university teams compete with their autonomous vehicles.

👉 Register now and be part of the challenge!

Here’s what awaits you:

October 14 – Training Day
Get to know the track, test your vehicles in a relaxed setting, and fine-tune everything for the competition.

October 15 – Competition Day + Networking Event + Award Ceremony & Afterparty on the Rhine
Give it your all during the competition, connect with companies at the networking event – and wrap up the day with your fellow teams at the legendary afterparty on the Rhine!

October 16 – Playground + Free Congress Access + Networking
Enjoy exclusive extra test time on the track – perfect for trying out new algorithms and discussing your questions directly with the experts from MdynamiX.

Special highlight: All participants, team supervisors, and advising professors get free access to the ELIV conference sessions (ticket value: €2,487).

The task of the VDI Autonomous Driving Challenge is to built or to modify a model car of scale 1:8 to handle self-driving scenarios that are based on problems in real life as well as on racing events. In this challenge, model cars will autonomously run through a race track that features a pit stop allowing traffic-anlogue maneuvres like parking or taking highway exits.

At the interface between real motorsport, robotics and automation, the VDI Autonomous Driving Challenge gives young engineers the opportunity to acquire scientific and technical skills in a competitive environment, to exchange professional knowledge and to gain new experience - and all this with a lot of team spirit and without any risk for occupants or spectators. Evaluated by an independent jury of experts from science and industry, they also strengthen their self-confidence in their individual creative power. 

Automation and electrification of vehicles represent a profound change in social life. For our society and the progress of sustainable technology, it is therefore fundamental to introduce young people to key topics such as these as early as possible, in order to give them the space to approach the technological challenges of the future in a playful way.  

The VDI Association of German Engineers has set itself ambitious goals with the Autonomous Driving Challenge. It creates a platform for young people and students, through which social and professional skills can develop and technology is promoted. At the same time, students are given the opportunity to exchange ideas with like-minded people in an international environment and to make initial contacts with associated companies.  

Eligible for participation are teams of two to six members. We encourage you to participate from whatever faculty or country your team is from. Besides to  the costs of components and a security deposit of 100 €  for the event (that will be refunded after participation), the competition is free of charge. We don‘t necessary require having a supervising professor, but we encourage getting support from your respective institution.

The challenge is divided in two main cups. While the idea of the VDI Supercup is providing a nearly unconstrained environment for development, the concept of the VDI Cup is to compare mainly the programming while using a predefined platform that is equal for every team. Ready-to-use car kits are available for the Cup and Supercup, please contact us. Refer to the Technical and Sporting Regulations of the VDI ADC for more details.