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 to Gateway North for an immersive introduction to autonomous transportation research. The visit was designed to expose students to emerging mobility technologies while connecting them with faculty and researchers advancing transportation innovation.

Hosted by Dr. Ali Karimoddini and the CR2C2 team, the experience provided HOME scholars with an inside look at the Aggie Auto autonomous shuttle program and the research taking place at the Gateway North facility. Students learned how autonomous vehicles are being developed and evaluated to improve safety, accessibility, and mobility, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

During the visit, students received an overview of the autonomous shuttle technology before participating in individual demonstration rides on the facility's test track. The hands-on experience allowed scholars to see firsthand how autonomous systems perceive their surroundings, navigate roadways, and respond to real-world driving scenarios.

Beyond the technology demonstrations, the visit offered students the opportunity to engage directly with researchers, ask questions about engineering careers, and gain insight into the interdisciplinary work required to bring innovative transportation solutions from research to deployment.

The HOME Program, which prepares and supports incoming engineering students at North Carolina A&T, aims to expose participants to the many pathways available within engineering and technology. By connecting students with cutting-edge research environments early in their academic journey, the program helps inspire future engineers while strengthening their understanding of how classroom learning translates into real-world impact.

Following the visit, HOME Program leadership expressed appreciation for the experience, sharing that the scholars greatly enjoyed their time at Gateway North and were eager to explore future opportunities for collaboration between the program and CR2C2.

As CR2C2 continues advancing research in connected and automated transportation, partnerships like the HOME Program play an important role in cultivating the next generation of innovators. Through experiences that combine education, mentorship, and hands-on learning, students are empowered to envision themselves contributing to the future of intelligent transportation systems.