A Day That Might Shape the Future: High School Students Among BME Researchers

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The Autonomous Systems National Laboratory at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) recently brought the latest results of autonomous vehicle research closer to high school students through an online educational resource and an associated knowledge-based quiz competition. The top-performing students of the nationwide quiz were invited to a unique experience day on campus, where they got a glimpse into the underlying technologies, laboratories, and ways of thinking behind future mobility. Interviews conducted throughout the day reveal that it was not only the live demonstrations that captivated students, but also the depth of knowledge and the authenticity of the expert speakers that left a lasting impact.

The event was hosted by actor Iván Fenyő.

“It’s important that kids hear about these technologies from credible sources”

Csilla Petrohainé Rostás, a teacher from Padányi Catholic School in Veszprém, shared her impressions after the event, speaking about the students’ curiosity and the pedagogical challenges of the digital future.

“There is a huge interest in autonomous vehicles,” she began. “We had already discussed the content with the students after the teacher briefing, and the materials clearly made a strong impression on them.” She noted that the students found the online content and the quiz game engaging, particularly the fact that sometimes there wasn’t a single correct answer—something that sparked real thinking.

Many students from her school took the test, and three of them were invited to the event. “They were thrilled, because they could feel this was a meaningful invitation, a real opportunity.”

As a teacher, she found the day equally inspiring. “It was fascinating to gain insight from first-hand experience, to see exactly where this field currently stands.”

The professional level of the event also reinforced her teaching philosophy. “It was motivating, because it confirmed that I’m on the right track when I talk to my students about the digital future. But I also see how much more teamwork, information, and inspiration they need, because their knowledge in this area is still quite limited.”

She emphasized the importance of credible sources. “There is a lot of sensationalist content in the media, but students only get a truly meaningful picture from events like this. That’s why it would be great if these programs were held more regularly.”

Dr. Szalay Zsolt előadása

She also highlighted that autonomous vehicle development is not only for engineers. “It’s important for students to see that if someone is interested in law, they don’t only have to become a lawyer—they could work on the legal aspects of autonomous systems. I’d love to see more attention given to these interdisciplinary paths in education.”

Social acceptance, too, is a key issue. “How does society handle the idea that not all vehicles are driven by humans anymore? This is an exciting area for both psychology and sociology.”

Closing her remarks, she thanked the organizers and offered suggestions: “It would be amazing if students had more opportunities to meet credible professionals who not only give presentations but offer real insight into what skills are needed. These moments also help teachers better understand how to motivate students. If we had a clearer idea of where incoming university students tend to struggle, we could better support them.”

“The quiz was great, and now we’re even considering trying out some form of Scientific Student Research Projects (TDK) ourselves.”

The Lecture of Tamás Bécsi, Ph.D

A Glimpse into the Near Future: Students Reflect on the ARNL Knowledge Challenge

The quiz competition organized by the Autonomous Systems National Laboratory at BME was more than just an online knowledge test: it was an opportunity for the top-performing students to experience firsthand what it means to work on the automotive technologies of the future. Interviews from the event reveal that students were not only amazed by live demonstrations but also deeply inspired by the expertise and authenticity of the speakers.

Márton Marton-Bódi (Szent Mór School Center, Pécs) joined the quiz out of a general interest in electronics and engineering. “I was already curious about autonomous driving and AI, but I had never seen these systems explained in such detail before.” By the end of the day, he was enthusiastically talking about AI functionality and vehicle architecture.

Zsombor Bánhelyi (Ady Endre High School) found the program “inspiring.” “I especially liked the sensor explanations in the presentations. I understood details I had never seen before.” He hadn’t expected to be invited but was delighted to attend.

András Vincze-Pál (Budapest Fasori Evangelical High School) already has his sights set on BME. For him, both the content and the environment were impactful. “The level of research and presence of technology were really impressive. It’s clear that the future is being built here.”

The Lecture of Szilárd Aradi, Ph.D

Kristóf Bognár and Gergely Mendrei-Benkő from the Bánki Donát Technical School received the quiz as an assignment during online learning. For both of them, artificial intelligence was the highlight: “We got a peek into the future,” said Kristóf.

Csongor Csevrenka and Patrik Pardi from Gyula Catholic High School especially remembered Dr. Tamás Bécsi’s lecture: “It was simple, easy to understand, and still exciting.” They also appreciated the lab visits and the presentation about the ZalaZONE proving ground, which Csongor described as “an amazing experience.”

Students Ármin Hegedűs and Benedek Dunajcsik (Padányi Catholic School, Veszprém) most enjoyed the presentations and seeing the real technologies up close. “We saw how the LIDAR works and how systems connect,” they shared.

Lab Visit

Angéla Balogh (Csokonai V. Mihály High School, Debrecen) was invited after her chemistry teacher forwarded the quiz. “I didn’t expect it to be this interesting. I learned so much about AI and autonomous vehicles. And it was great to see everything up close, not just in pictures.”

Marcell Kozsda, who learned about the event through his mother, a BME staff member, especially appreciated the amount of information. “There was a lot to process, but it was incredibly interesting. Especially the monitoring systems that feed data to AI. I had no idea how complex that process is.”

The students’ responses clearly show: this event offered not just information, but motivation, guidance, and inspiration. Many of them are still exploring their paths, but one thing is certain: on that day, they moved closer to a future we are only beginning to imagine.

Lab Visit

A World-Renowned MIT Professor at BME: Michael A. Cusumano to Speak on Generative AI

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It is a great honour for the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) to welcome Professor Michael A. Cusumano on May 29–30, a globally recognized expert in innovation-driven entrepreneurship ecosystems and professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management.

The highlight of the visit will be his public lecture on May 29 at 17:00 in the Simonyi Auditorium of Building Q, entitled
“GenAI as a New Applications Platform”.
In this talk, Professor Cusumano will explore the latest developments in generative artificial intelligence, including its platform potential and business implications. The presentation will address cutting-edge technologies such as ChatGPT, DeepSeek, and innovations from Nvidia. A Q&A session will follow, giving the audience an opportunity to ask questions directly.

➡️ Participation is free, but registration is required: REGISTER HERE!

Professor Cusumano is co-author of the acclaimed book The Business of Platforms (with Annabelle Gawer and David B. Yoffie), which provides a comprehensive and practical framework for understanding platform strategies in today’s digital economy. His research has significantly influenced the way technology-driven enterprises and ecosystems evolve.

This lecture is open to everyone, especially students, researchers, and professionals interested in engineering, economics, and digital innovation. It is a unique opportunity to hear from a thought leader who also serves as a founding co-director of the MIT Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program (REAP), shaping entrepreneurial ecosystems around the world.

In addition to the public lecture, Professor Cusumano will meet with the Rector and Vice-Rectors of BME and hold a professional roundtable with the Hungarian REAP team to further strengthen collaboration between MIT and key innovation players in Hungary.

📅 Lecture date: Thursday, May 29, 2025, 17:00
📍 Venue: Simonyi Auditorium, Building Q, BME
🔗 Read more about his previous visit »

Software for a premium experience – Future-shaping event in cooperation between BME and Jaguar Land Rover: BME x JLR TechDays 2025

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In the first week of May, BME x JLR TechDays took place once again – one of the flagship events of the strategic collaboration between Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). The highlight of the two-day professional program was the much-anticipated keynote by David Nesbitt, Global Director of Digital Product Platform at JLR Product Engineering. His talk, titled Software Defined Vehicle and Future Technologies, became a memorable experience both for its forward-looking content and for the active engagement of the audience.

The Vehicle as a Software-Enabled Ecosystem

In an interview ahead of his keynote, David Nesbitt shared his insights on the future of vehicle software. According to him, the term “software-defined vehicle” can be misleading – a more accurate term would be “software-enabled vehicle.” The aim is not for software to dictate what a car can do, but to empower rapid introduction of new services and experiences.

In Nesbitt’s vision, the car becomes a key element of a personalized mobility ecosystem: it could assist passengers in organizing flights, planning airport departures, managing parking, or seamlessly using another branded vehicle in a foreign country, personalized to the user’s preferences. Premium experience, in this context, extends beyond driving – it encompasses the entire mobility journey.

“I’m really proud to work for Jaguar Land Rover – proud of our products, but even more so of the people I work with,” says David Nesbitt, who collaborates with 14 international engineering hubs, including the one in Budapest. “Every team I work with is excellent. It’s a great opportunity for me to be here at the university today, meet new people, and explore future projects we could realize together.”

Speaking about JLR’s product strategy, Nesbitt laid out a clear direction: “Our premium customers are not just looking for features – they want simplicity, comfort, and a seamless experience. For instance, we’ve deliberately reduced the number of physical controls in the Range Rover. There are still some buttons, partly due to regulatory reasons and partly because certain functions are simply more intuitive that way. But our goal is to avoid overwhelming the driver with sensory input or tasks. We want to create an interior that is calm, refined – a space from which drivers emerge truly relaxed.”

Nesbitt emphasized how this contrasts with other industry players: “Some competitors throw too much data and too many options at users – that’s not what we believe in, and it doesn’t align with our brand.”

At the same time, the premium experience goes far beyond the vehicle itself: “This is now about an entire ecosystem. I imagine a customer sitting at home in the evening with a glass of wine, thinking about the next day’s tasks – some of which will involve the car. These can be planned in advance, even remotely – or the car itself might anticipate the user’s needs and adjust its settings accordingly. That’s where we’re headed. We already have many capabilities – but there’s still a long way to go.”

The Platform That Gives Engineers Freedom

One of the central messages of the presentation was that software does not define the experience – rather, it creates the framework that enables the desired experience. JLR’s comprehensive digital platform allows for a complete rethinking of the customer journey, while preserving the brand’s signature refined and elegant driving environment. Minimal use of physical controls, avoidance of visual or sensory overload – all reflect the philosophy that a car is simultaneously a tool, a space, and an experience, with the customer always at the center.

Collaboration with BME: Engineers, Research, and a Shared Future

The collaboration between JLR and BME has developed significantly in recent years, culminating in a formal strategic partnership agreement last year. During the TechDays, a professional discussion was held to explore future joint opportunities.

“At Jaguar Land Rover, we see collaboration with universities as completely self-evident – it’s just common sense,” says David Nesbitt, who visited BME for the first time. “This is my first chance to personally learn about the capabilities of some faculties here, and I can already see that they are closely aligned with our technological strategy. That’s exciting in itself.”

Nesbitt says there are no illusions at Jaguar Land Rover: “We’re not too proud to admit that we need others’ expertise in development. Collaboration brings immense value – we can always learn something from our partners, especially in the technical domain.”

The relationship with BME is already strong: more than 200 developers are working for JLR in Budapest, many of them with ties to the university – in fact, the local team leader is a BME graduate. “This is already a solid foundation – but it’s just the beginning. We can take even bigger steps together.”

There are numerous areas for joint development: “Connectivity, cybersecurity, cloud-based platforms, electric architectures, computing performance, artificial intelligence, graphics, autonomous driving – these are all key areas. I’ve seen some truly impressive technology here that we could integrate into our products to enhance the customer experience.”

Nesbitt adds that JLR also collaborates with other universities globally, as it operates multiple sites around the world. “What would be truly exciting is not just building bilateral relationships, but creating a global academic network in which BME plays a key role. That would be a huge opportunity for everyone involved.”

Why Should BME Students Choose Jaguar Land Rover?

“Why? Easy – we’re the coolest automotive company in the world – why wouldn’t they choose JLR?” David Nesbitt laughs, then quickly adds that he’s only half-joking. “But seriously, Jaguar Land Rover is a truly special place to work.”

“We’ve built a very open and supportive corporate culture. People really matter to us – we listen, we value their input, and we give them the opportunity to make a real impact through their work. Those who work with us are not just executors – they’re contributors and creators.”

He believes this people-centered mindset is one of the main attractions for young talent. The other major factor? The product itself: “Our vehicles are simply fantastic. Personally, I’m extremely proud to be part of the JLR team – and I’d be surprised if my colleagues didn’t feel the same. We love what we do, and that’s something you can feel everywhere we operate around the globe. I, for one, have the best job in the world – and I mean that quite seriously.”

Outstanding interest and active audience engagement
David Nesbitt’s keynote was memorable not only for its content, but also for its atmosphere. Held in one of the lecture halls of Building Q, the event concluded with a long line of attendees eager to ask questions—making it nearly impossible for the speaker to leave the room. This enthusiastic response highlights the genuine and growing interest within BME in the digital transformation of the automotive industry and the strategic implications of software-driven technologies.

Moments of a growing partnership
BME × JLR TechDays served as a professional forum, a platform for inspiring talks, and a new milestone in our strategic partnership. Looking ahead, we anticipate even more joint projects, student and researcher collaborations, and industry engagement—all aimed at strengthening the connection between Hungarian engineering education and the cutting edge of the European automotive industry.