This summer, 19 high school students got a hands-on introduction to the future of transportation at the fifth annual CAV Career Pathways Camp. This free, weeklong program focuses on connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) and related career opportunities.
The camp gave the students a unique chance to explore how emerging technologies are transforming transportation and to imagine how they might contribute to what comes next. Through field trips, info sessions, and applied learning, the campers got front-row seats to the work and research involved in CAV development and deployment.
The students started their week learning the ins and outs of CAV technology from The PLUM Catalyst and through programming robots with U of M graduate students. Then, in a joint exercise led by HDR and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), they identified community-level transportation challenges and brainstormed CAV-focused solutions while also learning about the work of the MnDOT CAV Office.
The week featured several field trips exhibiting technology in action. A site visit to SICK Sensor Intelligence taught the group about industrial applications of sensors and robotics. Campers also toured the 3M Innovation Center, learning how new technologies—such as advancements in pavement markings—are helping to improve automated vehicle safety.
Back on campus, the campers joined breakout sessions highlighting U of M research. They visited the Human Factors Safety Lab to learn how human behavior interacts with and helps shape transportation systems and got the chance to ride in the MnCAV Ecosystem automated vehicle. They also tested a virtual reality (VR) driving simulator and saw firsthand the work that goes into robot teleoperations.
Other highlights of the week included:
- A drone demonstration from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency showcasing how the technology can be used for collecting and reading samples.
- An introduction to cutting-edge research in drone design and robotics at the U of M Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics.
- A return visit from The PLUM Catalyst introducing the concept of digital twinning, where the students tested car designs and efficiencies in a digital space.
- A tour of the U of M campus.
