The MIT Portugal Program and Critical Move, S.A. have launched the “Critical Challenge” – a competition for the design and construction of an autonomous electric vehicle for use in cities.
The Critical Challenge offers an opportunity to take part in a challenging interdisciplinary project in association with (and with guidance from) both MIT Portugal, through the engineering schools involved in the Program, and Critical Move. Also, to contribute to the development of a vehicle that addresses key urban transportation and energy concerns worldwide. The Critical Challenge also provides an opportunity for you to receive funds to develop your design, possibly have aspects of your work incorporated in future Critical Move vehicles, and compete for a €40,000 first prize, which will be awarded in March 2013.
The Critical Challenge leverages MIT Portugal’s expertise and research in sustainable transportation and energy systems, and in engineering design and advanced manufacturing, as well as Critical Move’s efforts to develop solutions to 21st-century land transportation challenges.
The Challenge1. The Critical Challenge welcomes teams to submit proposals for efficient electric vehicles with no need for a driver – vehicles that will a) be able to transport up to nine passengers, b) be able to complete two journeys of at least 2 kilometers/1.24 miles each (one during the day and one in nighttime conditions), c) be capable of traveling an urban route, and d) use as little energy as possible while traveling at maximum speed. During this first phase, teams will develop the technological approach, as well as the global architecture and functional specifications of their projects. The best performing team will be awarded 11.000€. Applications to participate in Phase I will be accepted in July 2010.
2. Four teams will be chosen to continue in Phase II of the competition. These teams will receive funds to a) prepare for a public demonstration with a virtual vehicle, using a simulator tool; and b) prepare for a final demonstration of the vehicle in an urban environment, in March 2013. Guidelines (updated in February 2010) are available here, and at the Critical Challenge website. TeamsTeams that apply to participate in the Critical Challenge must be composed of at least two persons, and one person on each team must be a PhD student. Individuals, companies, research centers and institutions not associated with MIT Portugal are welcome to apply, and applicants can be of any nationality.
The Portuguese Science Foundation (FCT) will finance up to four PhD scholarships for MIT Portugal students who might be on teams that are chosen to participate. Steering CommitteeThe Critical Challenge initiative is overseen by a Steering Committee that includes Professors António M. Cunha (U Minho), and Christopher L. Magee (MIT) – co-directors of MIT Portugal’s Engineering Design and Advanced Manufacturing focus area – as well as Luisa Goulao (Co-founder and CEO, Critical Move, S.A.); António Cunha (Co-founder and CTO, Critical Move, S.A.); Daniel Bessa (CEO, COTEC Portugal); and Pedro Lima (Professor at IST and President, Portuguese Society of Robotics). |
