The Tecnun eRacing team, from the University of Navarra (Tecnun), has unveiled its first autonomous monoposto, marking a significant advancement in the team's evolution. For the first time since its inception in 2008, the presented vehicle is autonomous, meaning it can detect the cones forming the circuits and create its own trajectory.
The car, designed and built entirely by 74 students from Tecnun (62% of whom are from Gipuzkoa), will represent the territory in Formula Student, the automotive engineering competition where university teams design, manufacture, and compete. Specifically, the monoposto is scheduled to compete in events in the Czech Republic at the Most Autodrome from July 19th to 24th. It will also compete at the Hockenheimring in Germany from August 11th to 16th.
The presentation event featured several team leaders, including Pau Buj (team leader) and Eduardo Álava (business area manager), alongside panel discussions highlighting the passion, effort, and sacrifice behind the team. They also expressed gratitude to the 64 sponsoring companies and institutions: 'Thanks to the support of our sponsors, we have been able to create technology capable of driving the vehicle autonomously around the circuit at maximum possible speed without deviation'.
Furthermore, they reviewed the team's historical evolution, highlighting key moments such as overcoming all tests in 2023 and achieving fourth place in Barcelona in 2024. They also outlined short-to-medium term goals: having a functional prototype by August in Germany and creating a platform that can be competitive in the coming years.
The main advancement for next year's monoposto is the development of the in-wheel motor. According to Eduardo Álava, the team's monoposto will transition from having two motors at the rear (on the chassis) to one in each wheel. Currently, they have 3D prototypes.
After the talk, the new autonomous car was unveiled for attendees to observe. Later, on the rooftop of the Kursaal, it briefly ran as a test to warm up the engines ahead of the summer competitions.
Tecnun eRacing, currently ranked third in Spain and fifty-fourth globally in the overall standings, continues to evolve.
