The first edition of the Autonomous BAJA SAEINDIA (aBAJA) race was held at the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) in Pune. Team IPS-Sprinter from IPS Academy, Indore, won the overall championship, followed by Team Acroracerz from Acropolis Institute of Technology and Research, Indore, and Team E-Ziba Racers from Shri Vishnu Engineering College for Women, Bhimavaram, as first and second runners-up. The focus of the competition this year was advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous technology.
Autonomous BAJA events are competitions that challenge teams to design and build autonomous vehicles capable of navigating a rugged course, typically used in traditional Baja SAE competitions. In this event, the focus is on developing systems for vehicle autonomy, including perception, navigation, and control, without human intervention.
Held over three days, aBAJA 2024 featured five finalist teams from top engineering institutions across India. The teams participated in static and dynamic events, demonstrating their expertise in autonomous vehicle technology and the ability to design solutions for real-world challenges.
A focus on remote driving systems:
One of the highlights of the event was the Remote Driving System (RDS) competition which replaced the endurance race seen in previous events. The RDS tested the vehicles’ precision and adaptability as they navigated real-time, complex terrains. The competition marked a shift from traditional events, offering an innovative glimpse into the future of autonomous mobility.
ARAI Director, Dr. Reji Mathai, spoke about the significance of the event and ARAI’s involvement in the sector. “ARAI has been a proud partner of BAJA SAEINDIA for several years, and hosting the first-ever edition of aBAJA is a testament to our commitment to driving the future of automotive technology. Autonomous technology is the future and is intended for road safety, and it is inspiring to see these young minds contributing to its advancement.”
Industry perspectives on autonomous mobility:
Director and COO of Endurance Technologies Ltd., Rajendra Abhange, who was the Chief Guest during the closing ceremony said, “Autonomous mobility is no longer a distant concept—it is a reality that is rapidly shaping the automotive landscape. Competitions like aBAJA are crucial in nurturing industry-ready talent, equipping students with the skills and knowledge required to lead the transformation in our industry.”
Abhange emphasized the importance of initiatives such as aBAJA in developing future engineers who will drive innovation in autonomous systems and automotive manufacturing. He also hinted at the potential for a future “Flying BAJA” competition, suggesting aerial autonomous vehicles as the next frontier.
Other guests present at the valedictory event included Dr. G. Nagarajan, Senior VP, SAE INDIA; Ramanathan Srinivasan, MD, ATS; Dr. Divyanshu Joshi, Group Leader – Body & Chassis, Jaguar Land Rover; Balraj Subramaniam, Chairman, Organizing Committee, BAJA SAEINDIA; Dr. K C Vora, Prof of Practice & Advisor, BAJA SAEINDIA; Shantanu Sonar, Lead Judge, aBAJA SAEINDIA 2024; Arun Shankar, Convener from Continental; Ujjwala Karle, Joint Convener from ARAI; and Saurabh Chitnavis, Joint Convener from ATS.
Dynamic events showcase technical skills:
Day 2 featured dynamic events that tested the vehicles’ technical capabilities in real-time scenarios. These events included Object Detection, Classification, and Tracking (ODCT), which utilized RADAR and camera systems to assess the vehicles’ perception and decision-making. Other tests, such as Throttle and Brakes Actuation and Steering Actuation, evaluated the Drive-by-Wire systems integrated into the vehicles.
Ramanathan Srinivasan, Managing Director of Automotive Test Systems (ATS) highlighted the importance of these dynamic tests: “Autonomous driving is the future of mobility, and platforms like aBAJA are critical in nurturing the talent and creativity of the next generation of engineers. The dedication and technical ingenuity displayed by these students are truly remarkable.”
Encouraging the next generation of innovators:
The competition also featured static events such as business presentation and design evaluation, where Team DJS Kronos from Dwarkadas J. Sanghvi College of Engineering, Mumbai, and Team E-Ziba Racers from Bhimavaram secured top spots.
These events challenged participants to showcase their strategic thinking and technical designing skills, which are essential for the automotive industry.
Lead judge Shantanu Sonar remarked, “The level of detail and strategic thought demonstrated by the teams in the static events were exceptional. Their approach to autonomous systems design reflects not only technical expertise but also a deep understanding of industry requirements.”
Preparing for the future of autonomous mobility:
From technical inspections to trial runs on specially designed tracks, aBAJA 2024 displayed the creativity and technical skills of engineering students from across India. The hands-on experience in designing and testing autonomous systems that the students gained will benefit them as they enter the rapidly evolving automotive industry.
Reflecting on the competition, Umesh Shah, Managing Director of Autoliv, said, “It is through such initiatives that we inspire the next generation to think beyond conventional solutions and tackle real-world problems.”
As the event concluded, participants, judges, and industry leaders expressed optimism about the future of autonomous mobility and the role these young engineers will play in shaping it.