More than 110 talented future software engineers from schools in 14 countries gathered at the University of Warwick for the Land Rover 4x4 in Schools Technology Challenge world finals.

The bright engineers, aged 13 to 19, used computer coding to programme miniature remote-controlled four-wheel-drive vehicles they designed and built for a two-day competition. The vehicles negotiated a demanding course that wound its way over and through a Range Rover Evoque, replicating the off-road challenges facing a full-size all-terrain vehicle. The teams were asked to optimise an existing set of code so a model SUV could follow a pre-set course in the fastest possible time. They were scored on track performance and also presented their work and knowledge of vehicle design and engineering to a panel of judges. The coding competition was held in the National Automotive Innovation Centre and gave the students an inspirational preview of the facilities on offer.

NewGen Motors from Greece were crowned 2019 champions; with Vincera from Malaysia and Xtreme-K from Portugal in second and third places respectively.

Nick Rogers, Executive Director of Product Engineering at Jaguar Land Rover, said: “The Land Rover 4x4 in Schools Challenge is a fantastic way to bring together the top technically curious students from around the world. Competitions like this help to inspire innovation and technical excellence in the next generation of engineers, which will help us fill exciting future roles in software systems, connected cars, data science and autonomous driving. As engineers, it’s our duty to solve problems and find ways to make people’s lives better, and software and digital skills will help us to do more of this in the future. The coding and ‘ACES’ challenges in the competition demonstrate the importance of software innovation in our pioneering technology business.”

Vasilis Mesimeris, team manager of NextGen Motors, said: “The challenge has been an amazing experience and we’ve all strengthened our team working, coding and engineering skills. Our vehicle features a cantilever suspension system which kept the centre of gravity low and helped us perform well. We’ve all gained confidence and have been really inspired and would love to be engineers innovating and creating vehicles in the future.”

Luke Kwan participated in the 2018 UK National Final and successfully applied to the Jaguar Land Rover Degree Apprenticeship programme after the competition. Luke, who works in Body Engineering, said: “I was aware Jaguar Land Rover offered an excellent apprenticeship programme and I decided to enter the competition to learn more about the company. The support of our Jaguar Land Rover mentor through the project was really valuable and I gained and strengthened lots of skills, such as CADCAM and graphic design, which I use now in my job.”

In June, WMG High Value Manufacturing Catapult hosted an Autonomous, Connected, Electric and Shared (ACES) networking dinner in partnership with NatWest and Lombard.

The event brought together CEOs, CTOs and senior executives from UK leaders in the sector, speakers included Jaguar Land Rover, Aston Martin, Rolls Royce, GiffGaff, WMG, You.Smart.Thing and FiveAI, to discuss how ACES technologies will radically change the way we travel.

There is a global call to both reduce emissions and also to ease congestion and increase the simplicity, safety and speed at which passengers are able to get from point A to B. There is no doubt that the future of transport will be ACES.

The UK has always been at the forefront of transport innovation and manufacturing, and needs to continue to bring manufacturers and governing bodies together to push forward the ACES transport agenda and ensure the UK remains competitive in a global market.

WMG, NatWest and Lombard will be releasing thought leadership pieces from expert industry leaders, sharing the challenges and opportunities for the UK transport sector.

Click here to read the Natwest article

For more information or to get involved please contact: wmgbusiness@warwick.ac.uk

Tata Motors CEO and Managing Director and his executive committee were given an exclusive glimpse behind the doors of Coventry’s revolutionary National Automotive Innovation Centre.

The Tata Motors European Technical Centre (TMETC) team welcomed Guenter Butschek to their new home.

The National Automotive Innovation Centre is designed to bring together a collaboration of industry experts and academia’s to develop future vehicles and mobility solutions.

A partnership between TMETC, Jaguar Land Rover, WMG, University of Warwick and the UK Government’s High Education Funding Council England, will see the centre as a driving force for UK innovation and collaborative research projects of smarter, lighter, greener transport.

With an investment of £150 million The National Automotive Innovation Centre will see more than 1,000 industry and academic experts working side by side, on sustainable automotive projects.

Mark Johnson, director and head of TMETC, said: “This is a major investment for Tata Motors which will enable us to strengthen and expand our expertise and grow our team over the coming years.

“We were very proud to show Guenter, and members of the Tata Motors executive committee, around our new home.

“We are delighted he was impressed with the building and its comprehensive facilities.”

Guenter and his party visited all areas of the building including the engineering hall and design studios.

Mark added: “The move to National Automotive Innovation Centre has enabled us to bring together our designers, researchers and engineering experts all under one roof.

“The new centre will not only provide a UK automotive centre for us to develop autonomous, connected, electric and shared technology (ACES) but it also provides an inspiring environment to nurture future automotive professionals.”