FEL UWB has new electric cars. Students will learn to develop autonomous driving systems with them

Next September, the first students are expected to begin their studies in the new interfaculty program "Electromobility and Intelligent Transportation Systems." The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, UWB has already purchased the first hybrid vehicles for them.

Two new cars with autonomous driving systems are already parked at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the University of West Bohemia. However, they won't be standing there for long, as from September, students will begin testing their research on them within the current study programs and subjects at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Starting from the academic year 2025/26, the first students of the new program "Electromobility and Intelligent Transportation Systems" will also begin using them for their studies.

Students thus gain an unique opportunity to learn on real hybrid plug-in vehicles. They can become familiar with technologies such as Drive-by-Wire (including the control of brakes, traction systems, or steering systems), and start working on research and development of autonomous driving within student projects.

To enable control with systems necessary for autonomous driving, the cars are exceptionally equipped, including all installed safety systems and the propulsion unit. Additionally, both vehicles are equipped with systems under the hood that allow driving in a "fleet" – enabling mutual movement coordination, sharing of information between vehicles, testing more complex driving maneuvers, and the ability to simulate safety-critical incidents.

The purchase was made thanks to National Plan of Recovery 2022-2024. (Ref number: NPO_ZČU_MSMT-16584/2022).