Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences

Software meets mechanics

What makes this team stand out is their ability to combine technical knowledge with mechanical insight. They don’t just think in lines of code, but also in cables, wheels, and control systems. This synergy leads to creative, hands-on solutions—and a kart that’s built from both brains and bolts.

Why the Self Driving Challenge?

For the Red Road Racers, this challenge is a chance to work on something meaningful. It’s an exciting opportunity and a great way to gain experience with autonomous vehicles. They’re learning skills here that they’ll definitely use in the future.

Back on track

Their university also joined last year’s edition, but unfortunately, the kart didn’t make it to the starting line. The software was ready—but the car wasn’t. That setback only motivated this new team to come back stronger. This time, they even gave their kart a name: Kartificial Intelligence.

High-tech on four wheels

The kart is equipped with a camera system, lidar, and various sensors. A custom-built control system calculates the route, detects obstacles, and makes real-time decisions. Steering, acceleration, and braking are all controlled via software, with precision and safety as top priorities.

The biggest challenge? Connecting all those subsystems into one solid and reliable system—while working with a tight budget. That means lots of testing and step-by-step integration, to ensure the kart runs smoothly when it counts.

Safety first

The team’s main focus is clear: completing the challenge as safely as possible, while diving deep into the world of autonomous driving. For them, it’s not just about speed—it’s about learning, growing, and building a stable, well-functioning system.

They’re currently working on a more advanced image recognition model to improve reaction speed, and adding a speedometer for more consistent driving behavior.

Red Road Racers are ready to hit the track!