Russian Students Build “Smart” Autopilot System for Cars

A team of students in Nizhny Novgorod has developed an AI-based autopilot system for vehicles — a promising step toward autonomous transportation in Russia. The project was created during a two-week computer vision and self-driving technologies camp, which brought together nearly 100 students from top technical universities across the country.

Experts say the prototype has strong potential for integration into national programs for unmanned transport development.

The system processes data from a network of sensors positioned around the vehicle in real time. Using computer vision and artificial intelligence, it identifies pedestrians, nearby cars, and traffic direction, then automatically adjusts steering and speed to maintain safe driving conditions.

Merging AI and Computer Vision

The uniqueness of the project lies in its integrated approach, combining cutting-edge computer vision techniques with generative AI models. The educational program — organized by the NEIMARK IT Campus, Yandex, and the Faculty of Computer Science at HSE University — gave participants hands-on experience working with real-world data and technologies under expert mentorship.

For Russia, this initiative marks an important milestone in building expertise in autonomous transport. By training a new generation of engineers and researchers, such programs help pave the way for safer, smarter transportation systems that minimize human error and redefine mobility.