Join us for a live presentation and interactive discussion
March 2026
March 19, 2026
Explore the intersection of automotive innovation and accessibility as UT Austin EcoCAR presents AlertDrive, a student-led initiative redefining inclusive design for the next generation of drivers.
Date and Time
- Thursday March 19, 2026 3:00 PM CT
- Presenter: Farhaan Shroff, Aniketh Subramanian & Vincent Wu
- Online via Zoom
AlertDrive: UT Austin EcoCAR’s Vision for Inclusive Mobility
Driving has traditionally relied heavily on auditory cues, like sirens and horns, creating distinct safety barriers for drivers who are deaf or hard of hearing. In this session, students from UT Austin EcoCAR will present AlertDrive, an assistive technology system is being developed as part of the international collegiate EcoCAR EV Challenge. They will discuss how the team engineered a solution using machine learning to detect and translate these critical sounds into accessible visual and haptic alerts, ensuring a safer driving experience for everyone. Join us to learn how student-led innovation is helping to bridge the gap between automotive engineering and inclusive design.
Takeaways:
- Master the Engineering Design Cycle: Gain a deeper insight into the full process, from initial problem identification through to prototyping and design validation.
- Analyze Machine Learning Applications: Examine how systems are trained to distinguish critical auditory signals, such as vehicle horns, from complex environmental background noise.
- Implement Accessible Design Principles: Develop a comprehensive understanding of inclusive practices to ensure a functional and seamless experience for all users.
Meet Your Presenters
Farhaan Shroff is a second-year undergraduate Mechanical Engineering student at The University of Texas at Austin. Farhaan serves as the team lead for the Mobility Challenge subteam for UT-Austin EcoCAR where he leads development of the AlertDrive system. Outside of school, Farhaan enjoys watching sports and exploring Austin's amazing food scene.
Aniketh Subramanian is a third-year undergraduate Mechanical Engineering student at The University of Texas at Austin with a concentration on safety and accessibility technologies. On the UT-Austin EcoCAR team, Aniketh leads the development of the machine learning algorithm to identify honks from ambient road noise. Outside of engineering, Aniketh enjoys making music, training in mixed martial arts, and playing pickleball with friends.
Vincent Wu is a second-year undergraduate Electrical and Computer Engineering student at The University of Texas at Austin. In UT-Austin EcoCAR, Vincent leads development on the User Interface and hardware. Outside of school, Vincent enjoys playing basketball, swimming, and training for the Ironman Competition