Students from the Scientific Circle of Mechatronics and Robotics “Synergia” have advanced to the finals of the international competition NXP Cup. The challenge faced by our young constructors was to build autonomous vehicles which would take the least time possible to negotiate a designated distance

NXP CUP is an international series of competitions where autonomous vehicles built and programmed by student teams race with each other on designated tracks.  The first event of this kind was held in 2003, in South Korea, with 80 teams taking part. Currently, the competition is organised in places including China, India, North America, and since 2012 - also Europe. 

The machines, which the spectators can admire in action, are built from parts delivered by the organisers, while the young constructors must develop on their own elements such as engine control modules and software controlling their cars.  Additionally, cameras must be mounted on the vehicles to record data useful in the race. The team whose vehicle takes the least time to negotiate the track is the winner. 

This year, the elimination rounds were held in countries including Germany, France, Romania, as well as in Czechia, where our two teams - Uni Synergy, comprising Michał Miotk, Piotr Buba, and Mateusz Witerski, and Uni Synergia, i.e. Sebastian Mróz and Piotr Bielenia - faced their contenders.

The teams had simultaneously worked two models of autonomous vehicles, which entered the competition in the Alamak class. After a fierce struggle, the winning team was Synergy, whose vehicle took 17.2 seconds to cover the distance. The Synergia team took the second place with 20.8 seconds, also qualifying for the final tournament - to be held in Germany in mid-April.