The Center for Regional and Rural Connected Communities (CR2C2) recently welcomed 27 incoming engineering students from North Carolina A&T State University’s Helping Orient and Mentor Engineers (HOME) Program for a two-part immersive experience exploring autonomous transportation, emerging mobility technologies, and transportation research.

Hosted by Dr. Ali Karimoddini and the CR2C2 team, the experience was designed to introduce HOME scholars to the technologies shaping the future of transportation while connecting them with faculty and researchers advancing innovation in rural particularly communities.

During the first part of the experience, students visited Gateway North for an inside look at the Aggie Auto autonomous shuttle program. Students received an overview of autonomous vehicle technology and learned how these systems are being developed and evaluated to improve transportation safety, accessibility, and mobility.

The visit also included individual demonstration rides on the facility’s test track, giving students an opportunity to experience autonomous transportation firsthand. Scholars observed how autonomous systems perceive their surroundings, navigate roadways, and respond to real-world driving scenarios.

For the second part of the tour on July 30, participants returned to explore CR2C2’s advanced drone and autonomous vehicle laboratories. Students learned about ongoing research focused on rural mobility, smart infrastructure, and connected transportation systems, expanding their understanding of how emerging technologies can be applied to address real-world transportation challenges.

The two-part experience provided opportunities for students to engage directly with researchers, ask questions about engineering careers, and gain insight into the interdisciplinary work required to move innovative transportation solutions from research to deployment. It also allowed CR2C2 to highlight real-world applications of emerging transportation technologies while strengthening connections with students and workforce development partners committed to advancing innovation in the field.

The HOME Program prepares and supports incoming engineering students at North Carolina A&T by exposing participants to the many pathways available within engineering and technology. Connecting students with cutting-edge research environments early in their academic journeys helps demonstrate how classroom learning can translate into meaningful, real-world impact.