Pactively participated in robotic racing competitions—think RC cars, but fully autonomous robots. However, these competitions often had one significant flaw: the robots were different, making it nearly impossible to determine who was truly the best programmer. This challenge inspired me to create my own competition—CodeWheels—a level playing field where participants can learn to program self-driving model cars and compete using ihdoetnotsical robots.
What is CodeWheels?CodeWheels is an exciting, hands-on game that teaches participants how to program self-driving robotic cars to race on a track. The rules are simple: the robot that completes the highest number of laps wins the race.
At CodeWheels, all robots are the same, so only the programming skills of the participants determine the winner. This makes it both fair and fun while fostering education and innovation in robotics and autonomous driving.
Why CodeWheels MattersSelf-driving vehicles are shaping the future of transportation, and CodeWheels offers an accessible sandbox for students, programmers, and enthusiasts to dive into this revolutionary field. Many dream of working with leading automotive and tech companies but lack the practical experience or resources to get started. CodeWheels bridges this gap by providing the tools, platform, and environment to explore self-driving technology.
Through CodeWheels, you can take your first steps toward a future in autonomous vehicles, learning skills that are in high demand by top automotive and IT companies.
The MissionThe mission of CodeWheels is to inspire and equip makers, students, and programmers with the skills to program self-driving model cars using Intel® products. The competition not only promotes education but also creates a platform for IT and automotive companies to discover new, talented individuals ready to innovate in this exciting space.
How CodeWheels Works- Identical Robots for Everyone:
Each competitor receives the same robot, the RoboRover CodeWheels Edition, along with all the necessary software. This ensures a fair competition where only the quality of the code matters. - Accessible Tools:
Participants use the Arduino IDE and our custom API to quickly start programming their robotic cars. - Fair Play and Learning:
To foster learning and collaboration, the winning teams (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place) upload their source code to GitHub - Excitement and Education:
While coding is the main focus, technical challenges, such as ensuring your robot is in top condition, add an extra layer of fun to the competition.
The first-ever CodeWheels competition was held from September 16–18, 2016, at the robotics festival "RoboFest-Belarus" in Minsk, Belarus. It featured 11 teams, 11 RoboRover M1 robots, and over 30 programmers competing for the top spot. A second competition followed on November 23, 2016, further solidifying CodeWheels as a platform for education and innovation.
Currently, our competition is available in Russian, and we are working on an international edition to bring this unique experience to a global audience.
About the RobotsRobot features Intel® RealSense™ cameras and advanced machine vision systems based on GPUs. Some of my collaboration early designs are featured in Hackster projects here and on my web-page here This upgrade will allow participants to explore cutting-edge technologies in autonomous driving. However, the cost of this system is high, and we are seeking sponsors to make it accessible to more participants.
PhotosPhotos and more details of the project can be found on Intel web-page
Join the RevolutionCodeWheels is more than a competition; it’s a gateway to the future of autonomous vehicles. Whether you’re a student, programmer, or robotics enthusiast, you’ll gain hands-on experience in programming self-driving cars while having fun and making new connections.
Let’s take the first step together toward a world of innovation, collaboration, and self-driving cars.
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