In a groundbreaking achievement for Pakistan’s technology sector, engineers at the NED University of Engineering and Technology have successfully completed the test drive of the country’s first driverless car powered entirely by artificial intelligence.
The autonomous vehicle was seen navigating the NED campus roads smoothly during the test run, surprising and impressing onlookers with its stability and control.
How the Project Began
The ambitious project started a year ago at NED University’s National Center for Artificial Intelligence, under the Department of Computer and Information Sciences. A China-imported electric vehicle was fully transformed into a self-driving car using advanced technologies including:
- Artificial intelligence
- Robotics
- Mapping and localization
- Sensors and radar systems
- Computer vision
- AI-based algorithms
Breakthrough in Autonomous Driving
Dr. Muhammad Khurram, Director of the NCAI and lead of the engineering team, said the project has now reached a mature stage after a year of rigorous development. He shared that road tests and trials are actively underway.
“We have enhanced the system using radar technology and computer vision. After achieving steering control, we are now working on object detection, lane recognition, speed limit detection, and signal recognition — enabling fully autonomous driving,” he explained.
The car currently operates at a programmed speed between 15–20 km/h, with built-in turning capability and the ability to evaluate traffic flow and incoming vehicles.
Designed for Pakistan’s Complex Roads
Team member Inzimam Khan highlighted that this autonomous car is among the few in the world capable of navigating Pakistan’s unpredictable urban traffic environment. “Our sensor technology is very strong,” he said, emphasising the system’s robustness.
Leadership and Milestones
The initiative was launched during the tenure of former NED Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Sarosh Hashmat Lodhi and has reached this impressive milestone as the new Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Tufail Ahmed begins his term.
This achievement marks a significant step forward for Pakistan in AI-driven mobility, showcasing local talent and engineering excellence on the global stage.
