1. MCU Car Rally Challenge
A Short Introduction
January 2014
© 2014 Renesas Electronics Europe. All rights reserved.

2. What is the MCU Car Rally?
An excellent learning opportunity for students
Build a self guided car from a kit of components….
Optimise the hardware/software performance
Attend competition in Germany in the first quarter 2015.
Win the race against your peers
Targeting European University Students, but open for anyone
Fascinated students
MCU Racing Cars
Presents numerous learning opportunity for university students
© 2014 Renesas Electronics Europe. All rights reserved.

3. The Assembled Car & Learning Opportunities (subject to change)
Renesas 32 Bit Microcontroller
Monitors car status based on sensor inputs and controls motor speeds and steering angles accordingly
32 bit microcontroller development (hardware & software)
Electronic and mechanical hardware design optimisation
Real time control theory & related software algorithms
Self guiding sensor systems (track monitoring, motor feedback…)
Motor control theory & systems
We provide a basic starting point…the rest is up to you!
© 2014 Renesas Electronics Europe. All rights reserved.

4. The Reward
A wealth of learning opportunities for university students including 32 bit MCU h/w and s/w development, electronic and mechanical hardware design optimization, real time control theory & related software algorithms, sensor systems, motor control theory……wow!
All entrants will receive certificate of participation
University entrants will receive a free kit of parts
Priority will be given to students from Renesas Partner Universities
Offer is subject to availability of free kits
Additional kits available at cost from our partner AND Technology Research
Prestigious prizes for the top 3 places and the winner will qualify for a sponsored trip to the Japan MCU Car Challenge in August 2015
Joint marketing opportunities for participant universities
Looks good on student’s CVs!
© 2014 Renesas Electronics Europe. All rights reserved.

5. How to enter Download the application form from www.mcurally.com
Complete the application form in full & get it counter-signed by your University Professor
Scan the application form & send it to:
Renesas will review your application and if successful will dispatch your own car kit as soon as possible
Renesas reserves the sole right to accept or decline participation in the MCU Rally Challenge without any explanation
© 2014 Renesas Electronics Europe. All rights reserved.

6. Competence You Will Need
To enter the MCR challenge:
Plenty of enthusiasm
Basic soldering skills
Basic electronics understanding (ie. device orientation in PCB)
Car kits have been successfully assembled by non-electronics graduates, although some assistance is needed
Access to the Renesas MCR Challenge support materials on the internet
To have a realistic chance of winning:
Understanding of mechanical engineering / physics – the simplest enhancements are mechanical ones, although this may not be enough to win the competition….
Understanding of real time control theory and how sensors work, together with software programming experience (tuning the software for fast control and reaction is one way of optimizing performance)
Support of an engineering / electronics tutor
© 2014 Renesas Electronics Europe. All rights reserved.

7. Where to get support
Rules, information, videos, tutorials etc. are all available at
Car Kit Assembly Manual
Test Manual
Sample Software
Software Manual
IDE and Programming Tools
- etc.
Frequently Asked Questions – at
Additional advice, additional kits and limited spare parts are available from Renesas official partner for the MCU Rally in Europe
And of course, your university tutor
Renesas regrets that, in order to maintain the integrity and fairness of the competition, we are unable to provide individual support or advice to any participant. All support must be provided independently from Renesas, except for the standard guidance documents mentioned above which can be downloaded from our website.
© 2014 Renesas Electronics Europe. All rights reserved.

8. Timeline 31st May 2014 - Deadline for applications
September Information on signing up for 2015 event
December Deadline to confirm participation in 2015 event (binding commitment required)
24-26 February MCU Car Challenge Event at embedded world in Nuremberg, Germany
August Winner of EU Challenge can participate in Global Challenge in Japan
© 2014 Renesas Electronics Europe. All rights reserved.

9. Questions & Answers Q. What is the cost of participation?
A. There is no cost** for Renesas Partner Universities
A. Other entrants will be expected to purchase car kits from
Q. Is the event open to anyone? A. The event is primarily aimed at university entrants. However, depending on the level of interest, we may run a parallel non-university challenge
Renesas staff are not permitted to enter although they may participate in exhibition sessions
Q. Do I need experience with Renesas MCUs?
A. No, everything you need is in the car kit or at
Q. How do I test my car?
A. There are instructions on making a test track from card and masking tape included
Q. Will I be able to test the car on the actual track used in the competition?
A. We will decide this later. As a minimum we will give information on the elements within the track. Your design needs to be flexible to different track conditions.
**Car kits are supplied free of charge to partner universities subject to availability. You will be expected to pay your own travel costs to the challenge event in Germany in Renesas will provide accommodation/meals.
© 2014 Renesas Electronics Europe. All rights reserved.

10. Introducing AND TR
AND Technology Research Ltd (ANDtr) is an award winning electronics & software product development company.
Providing design services & products for solutions requiring control, communications & security.
Renesas Platinum Alliance Partner since 2006.
Renesas official partner providing support services for the MCU Rally in Europe.
For More information visit andtr.com or try:
@ANDTechResearch
/ANDTechnologyResearch
© 2014 Renesas Electronics Europe. All rights reserved.

11. Car Challenge Rules
A full set of technical rules are available at which must be fully adhered to
Additional points applicable to the Eu Car Rally:
The event is only open to participants who have applied to Renesas and had their participation accepted
Car kits are available free of charge to Renesas Partner Universities only, subject to availability
Only car kits supplied by Renesas & AND TR are eligible
The final decision of Renesas on participation and event winners will be final. No explanations will be given.
Renesas reserves the right to modify the rules without notice.
Modifications during the challenge event are only allowed prior to inspection of your car. Modifications after this point will result in disqualification.
Renesas accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever incurred relating to or resulting from participation in the challenge.
All Intellectual Property in the Car Kit remains the property of Renesas Electronics Corporation.
© 2014 Renesas Electronics Europe. All rights reserved.

12. © 2014 Renesas Electronics Europe. All rights reserved.