Past events

On November 14th and 15th, 2024, the Munich University of Applied Sciences transformed into a testing ground for Germany's most innovative autonomous model vehicles. Students from all over the country competed in the 4th VDI Autonomous Driving Challenge in various disciplines such as acceleration races, parking maneuvers, and pursuit races.

Following an intensive training day, where the teams were able to adapt their vehicles to the demanding track conditions, the students demonstrated impressive performances and innovative solutions. Some teams focused on cost-efficient designs, while others relied on sophisticated simulation environments for their software development. In the end, Team SAM from Munich secured the overall victory thanks to consistently outstanding performances.

The great enthusiasm for the challenge, which was already evident during the event, shows how important such competitions are for fostering young engineering talent and the further development of pioneering technologies. The organizers are already looking forward to the next edition with great anticipation, which will certainly attract numerous innovative minds and their developments once again.

On November 14 and 15, 2024, the 4th VDI Autonomous Driving Challenge took place at Munich University of Applied Sciences. Supported by renowned sponsors such as MdynamiX, DEKRA, and MAHA, the event brought together students from all over Germany to test their autonomous model vehicles in an exciting competition.

Technical Challenges at the Highest Level

The two-day event began with a free practice day, allowing teams to familiarize themselves with the demanding competition track and adapt their vehicles to local conditions. The track at Munich University of Applied Sciences featured varying light conditions and a challenging layout, posing complex technical challenges for the teams. In particular, the combination of artificial and natural lighting required precise software adjustments.

The competition itself pushed both the vehicles and their developers to the limit. In dynamic disciplines such as acceleration races, parking maneuvers, and pursuit races, the high level of the participating teams became evident. It was impressive to see how some vehicles operated at the very edge of physical limits while maintaining remarkable stability.

Innovation and Team Spirit

The teams not only showcased technological excellence but also introduced innovative approaches. The Escuderia Colonia team from Cologne developed a cost-efficient vehicle setup with a clever distribution of computing power. The Taco team from Offenburg impressed with a complete simulation environment that enabled efficient software development without using the actual model vehicle.

An emotional highlight was the spontaneous support from the winning team, SAM from Munich, for the CVHCAR team from Bochum, which struggled with a defect before the decisive discipline. This camaraderie among participants highlighted the special spirit of the event, which, despite being a competition, always emphasized a sense of community.

Outstanding Performances and Results

The SAM team from Munich secured the overall victory thanks to consistent top performances in all disciplines. Particularly in the "Fastest Lap Time" category, the team demonstrated how close an autonomous vehicle can operate to the driving dynamics limit. The second place went to the CVHCAR team from Bochum, which excelled in the acceleration race. Third place was claimed by the VierSiebenRacing team from Duisburg, which, despite having a small team, showcased remarkable consistency.

A Competent Jury Ensuring High Quality

The evaluation of performances was carried out by a distinguished jury consisting of Markus Krug (CEO of MdynamiX), Ernő Horváth and Rudolf Knecht (both from Széchenyi István University), and Nikolas Djukic (Managing Director at BAYHOST). Their expertise and commitment ensured that the event was conducted at the highest level.

Looking Ahead

The enthusiasm for the Autonomous Driving Challenge extended far beyond the competition itself. Even during the event, teams and observers were already inquiring about the date for the next edition. International partners, such as the University of Győr in Hungary, also expressed interest in integrating the format into future events.

The 4th VDI ADC 2024 once again demonstrated the importance of such events in promoting engineering talent and advancing technology. The enthusiasm of the participants and the impressive results build excitement for the next edition – a competition that will continue to place technology and team spirit at its core.

1.Platz: Team Smart Automobile Munich, Hochschule München

2.Platz: Team CVHCAR, Hochschule Bochum - Campus Velbert-Heiligenhaus

3.Platz: Team VierSiebenRacing, Universität Duisburg Essen

4.Platz: Team Escuderia Colonia, Technische Hochschule Köln

5.Platz: Team smart TUBe, Technische Universität Berlin

6.Platz: Team Taco, Hochschule Offenburg

7.Platz: Team HSK Racing, Hochschule Kempten