Bilişim Vadisi Wins First Place Award with the Robotaksi Passenger Autonomous Vehicle Competition
Bilişim Vadisi, Türkiye’s center for technology and innovation, has been awarded first place by the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP), which has 350 members from 79 countries, for its role as the organizer of the Robotaksi Passenger Autonomous Vehicle Competition for the past six years.
At this year’s World Conference event, held in Nairobi, Kenya, Bilişim Vadisi’s Robotaksi Passenger Autonomous Vehicle Competition was recognized as the most innovative project. During the awards ceremony, the Gold Award was received by Sezen Güngör, Director of International Relations, representing Bilişim Vadisi. The Silver Award was given to “La Salle Technova” from Spain for their project “SDG’s Challenges,” while the Bronze Award was awarded to Pakistan’s “National Science and Technology Park” for their “Rising Stars Startup Competition.”
The IASP competition evaluates projects based on their innovation, tangible outcomes, applicability in national and international technoparks, and relevance to current technological trends.
IASP is an independent, non-profit NGO that aims to establish a global network for technoparks and innovation centers and holds Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
The Robotaksi Passenger Autonomous Vehicle Competition, which has been organized by Bilişim Vadisi for six years as part of the world’s largest Aviation, Space, and Technology Festival TEKNOFEST, stands out as one of the most prestigious events among TEKNOFEST’s technology competitions. Each year, it attracts an increasing number of participants.
The competition not only enhances participants’ problem-solving and teamwork skills but also offers them opportunities to shape their careers. In doing so, it helps foster young talent that strengthens Türkiye’s technology ecosystem. The Robotaksi Competition stays current with the latest technological developments, allowing participants to apply these innovations in practice.
Since the competition’s inception in 2019, a total of 20,916 contestants have applied, and 3,897 participants have been accepted into the program. Through the knowledge and skills they gain, participants contribute to the development of future mobility solutions.
Competitors design and manufacture their own vehicles, significantly enhancing their innovative thinking and practical application abilities. They also have the opportunity to test their vehicles on real tracks, bridging theoretical knowledge with real-world practice. Moreover, participants benefit from 54 hours of mentorship support during the competition.
By the end of the competition, 162 students had secured internships and job opportunities with leading companies in the industry. Additionally, young contestants interested in the entrepreneurship ecosystem continue to develop and launch their own startups within Bilişim Vadisi.
The TEKNOFEST Robotaksi Passenger Autonomous Vehicle Competition stands out for its innovative approach, national and international applicability, and focus on cutting-edge technologies. Its successful execution contributes to the development of autonomous vehicle technologies and the entrepreneurial ecosystem on a global scale.
