“We are in the top three.” This was a sentiment a team of students from NPUA and CSIE could hardly imagine when they decided to participate in a self-driving car competition organized by Quanser. The competition is held within the framework of the American Control Conference 2024, which is one of the most prestigious conferences in the field of control systems. The Armenian team, led by captain Andy Younes, included  Anna Beklaryan, Lusine Barseghyan, and Vahagn Makaryan. Throughout the whole process, CSIE Leading Researcher Astghik Hakobyan supported the team with her professional expertise. 

For the first round, the students studied advanced control algorithms and computer vision to tackle the given task. The objective was to navigate the outer racing line as quickly as possible while avoiding obstacles and remaining within the road lanes. Additionally, the vehicle was required to recognize traffic signs and adhere to all traffic rules. The students developed a sophisticated multi-module algorithm that integrates geometric path generation with a Model Predictive Controller (MPC) for optimal path tracking and obstacle avoidance․ It is complemented by a Machine Learning-based module for accurate traffic sign detection.

Their efforts paid off: in just 31 seconds, the NPUA and CSIE team secured a spot in the top 10 out of 39 teams, advancing to the final round held in Toronto from July 12-15. In the few days leading up to the event, the students harnessed advanced technologies such as MPC in simulation and Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) on the real car for precise path following, YOLOv5 for traffic light and stop sign detection, and LIDAR and RGB-D cameras for accurate obstacle avoidance. Integrating these components into their QCar, they not only pushed the boundaries of autonomous driving but also strengthened their teamwork and problem-solving skills. As a result, our student team successfully overcame the challenge set before them and secured third place.

Participant Vahagn Makaryan appreciated the chance to develop teamwork skills, quickly adapt to competitive conditions, and solve problems efficiently. For Anna Beklaryan, this was the first professional competition, providing a valuable opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in practice. Lusine Barseghyan was particularly engaged with teamwork, taking on the responsibility of swiftly adapting to different situations and making decisions, recognizing that the team's performance at that time depended on her actions.

The competition also allowed students to interact with young scientists from around the world, exchange experiences, and witness their professional growth. Despite facing complications, such as the physical device not arriving in Yerevan before they departed for Toronto, the team managed to present themselves well and uphold Armenia's honor.

For the team captain Andy Younes, the team's journey has been a unique blend of collaboration and innovation. “For me, as a junior researcher, this experience has been incredibly rewarding. Working with such a talented and dedicated team has not only deepened my technical knowledge but also taught me the value of effective collaboration. This journey has been an invaluable learning opportunity, showcasing our dedication and expertise in the field of autonomous vehicles.”