Our Challenge

Vehicles are increasingly integrating wireless technologies to improve safety, energy efficiency, and user comfort. One key development is the Digital Key, which allows users to unlock, start, and control a car using a smartphone, smartwatch, or similar device. This technology is essential to the vision of smart, connected cars. This challenge focuses on using wireless systems to detect and locate people around a vehicle with high accuracy. Students will design, implement, and test two subsystems: one using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for initial detection and proximity estimation, and one using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) for precise real-time positioning. Together, these technologies support keyless entry and driver authentication. Working in international teams, students will develop algorithms that balance performance, energy efficiency, and security. They will also test their solutions in real-world conditions to understand limitations and improve robustness. This is a hands-on opportunity to work on real mobility challenges using technologies already adopted in the automotive industry. Students will build practical skills in algorithm design, wireless communication, and systems integration—preparing them for careers in smart mobility, connected vehicles, and embedded systems engineering.