VCU MOVE: Mobility, Opportunity, and Versatile Engineering

The CivicProgress Challenge is a multi-year, virtual student design competition developed by SAE International in collaboration with General Motors. Student teams work with a GM-provided rolling chassis to explore real-world mobility challenges faced by wheelchair users and people living with disabilities. Through hands-on design and engineering, teams develop inclusive mobility solutions informed by industry expertise and direct community insights. The program emphasizes innovation, accessibility, and sustainable mobility while preparing students for real-world engineering challenges.  The central engineering problem students will work to address is: How can a wheelchair user independently enter, secure themselves inside, ride in, and exit an autonomous vehicle without assistance from another person?

Key design considerations include:

• Wheelchair securement: Developing automated systems that safely secure wheelchairs without requiring another person to attach straps.
• Vehicle entry and exit: Improving accessibility for users with different wheelchair configurations and functional abilities.
• Interior accessibility: Designing spaces that accommodate wheelchairs while maintaining occupant safety.
• Human-machine interfaces: Ensuring wheelchair users can independently interact with vehicle controls and accessibility features.

To learn more, visit the CivicProgress Challenge website or watch a webinar about the challenge. 

 Interested? Contact Prof. Carrie Peterson (clpeterson@vcu.edu).