Automobile Engineering project ideas

100 projects, from a first build to a final-year capstone. Each lists the skills it teaches and the tools it needs; times and costs are estimates.

Beginner projects

• OBD-II Diagnostic Assistant — Read live data and trouble codes from a car's OBD-II port and explain each code plainly. Skills: OBD-II PIDs, DTCs, diagnostics. Tools: ELM327 adapter, phone/PC app. Dashboard, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• EV Range Estimator — Estimate EV range from battery size, speed, temperature and climate control use. Skills: energy consumption, range modelling. Tools: web app. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Tyre Pressure and Fuel Economy Study — Measure how tyre pressure changes rolling resistance and fuel use. Skills: rolling resistance, testing. Tools: pressure gauge, fuel log. Data lab, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Gear Ratio and Top Speed Calculator — Calculate road speed for each gear from engine rpm, ratios and tyre size. Skills: transmission ratios, tyre sizing. Tools: web calculator. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Car Maintenance Schedule Tracker — Track service intervals, costs and reminders for a vehicle. Skills: maintenance planning, records. Tools: web app. Workflow, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Brake Stopping Distance Calculator — Compute reaction and braking distance for speeds and road conditions. Skills: braking physics, friction. Tools: web calculator. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Engine Cylinder Firing Order Animator — Animate four-stroke cycles and firing orders for common engines. Skills: four-stroke cycle, firing order. Tools: web app. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Vehicle Lighting Circuit Model — Build a low-voltage model of indicator, brake and headlight circuits with relays. Skills: automotive circuits, relays. Tools: 12 V bulbs, relays. Hardware build, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Fuel Efficiency Logbook Analyzer — Analyse fill-up records for consumption trends and driving style effects. Skills: data analysis, efficiency. Tools: spreadsheet. Data lab, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Battery Health Load Test — Measure car battery voltage under cranking load and estimate condition. Skills: battery testing, internal resistance. Tools: multimeter, load tester. Data lab, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Aerodynamic Drag Coast-Down Test — Estimate drag and rolling resistance from coast-down speed data. Skills: coast-down testing, drag. Tools: GPS speed logger. Data lab, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Car Parts Identification Quiz — Identify engine bay and chassis parts with photos and functions. Skills: vehicle anatomy, system functions. Tools: web app. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Wheel and Tyre Size Comparator — Compare speedometer error and clearance for different tyre sizes. Skills: tyre geometry, speedometer error. Tools: web app. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Steering Geometry Model — Show Ackermann steering geometry and turning radius with a model. Skills: Ackermann geometry, turning radius. Tools: web app/CAD. CAD / design, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Engine Displacement Calculator — Compute displacement, compression ratio and piston speed from bore and stroke. Skills: engine geometry, compression ratio. Tools: web calculator. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Coolant Temperature Logger — Log coolant temperature during a drive and relate it to thermostat behaviour. Skills: cooling systems, logging. Tools: OBD logger. Data lab, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Seat Belt Reminder Circuit — Build a reminder circuit using seat occupancy and belt switches. Skills: automotive logic, sensors. Tools: switches, buzzer, MCU. Hardware build, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Parking Sensor Prototype — Warn of obstacles behind a model car with ultrasonic sensors and beeps. Skills: ultrasonic ranging, alerts. Tools: ultrasonic sensors, MCU. Hardware build, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Vehicle Weight Distribution Study — Measure axle loads with scales and compute centre of gravity. Skills: weight distribution, CG. Tools: bathroom scales, ramps. Data lab, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Emission Standards Explorer — Compare emission limits across standards for pollutants. Skills: emissions regulation, pollutant limits. Tools: web app. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Clutch Operation Animator — Animate clutch engagement and explain slip and torque transfer. Skills: clutch mechanics, torque transfer. Tools: web app. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Electric Scooter Energy Logger — Log voltage, current and speed of an e-scooter ride. Skills: energy logging, EV basics. Tools: MCU, sensors. Hardware build, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Road Trip Cost Planner — Estimate fuel or charging cost for routes and vehicles. Skills: trip planning, cost models. Tools: web app. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Headlight Beam Pattern Check — Check headlight alignment against a wall chart. Skills: lighting standards, alignment. Tools: wall chart, tape measure. Workflow, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Differential Gear Model — Build a differential model and show wheel speed differences when turning. Skills: differential mechanics, cornering kinematics. Tools: 3D printed parts. CAD / design, Up to 15 h, Under $30.

Intermediate projects

• CAN Vehicle Data Dashboard — Read CAN frames from a vehicle or simulator and display speed, rpm and temperatures. Skills: CAN decoding, DBC files, dashboards. Tools: CAN interface, Python. Dashboard, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Suspension Tuning Simulator — Tune spring rates and damping on a half-car model for comfort and handling. Skills: suspension dynamics, tuning. Tools: Python. Simulator, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Brake Thermal Model — Model brake disc temperature over repeated stops and assess fade risk. Skills: thermal modelling, braking. Tools: Python. Simulator, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Battery Thermal Monitoring System — Monitor module temperatures in a battery pack mock-up and alert on gradients. Skills: thermal monitoring, BMS. Tools: thermistors, MCU. Dashboard, 15–45 h, $30–150.
• Vehicle Energy Consumption Logger — Log speed, acceleration and energy to build a consumption map. Skills: energy analysis, drive cycles. Tools: data logger. Data lab, 15–45 h, $30–150.
• Engine Air-Fuel Analysis Tool — Analyse lambda sensor data for mixture trends and lean/rich events. Skills: combustion, lambda sensing. Tools: OBD/wideband data, Python. Data lab, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Automotive Test-Case Generator — Generate test cases from requirements for a vehicle function. Skills: requirements-based testing, test coverage. Tools: Python. Workflow, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Diagnostic Request-Response Trainer — Practise UDS request/response sequences and negative responses in a simulator. Skills: UDS services, NRCs. Tools: Python, CAN sim. Simulator, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Instrument Cluster UI Prototype — Design a digital instrument cluster with warning hierarchy and day/night themes. Skills: HMI design, information hierarchy. Tools: Qt/web. Visualizer, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Charging Session Analytics — Analyse EV charging sessions for energy, duration and cost patterns. Skills: charging data, analytics. Tools: Python. Data lab, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Wheel Alignment Estimator — Estimate toe and camber effects on tyre wear and handling. Skills: alignment geometry, tyre wear. Tools: web app. Visualizer, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Tire Pressure Anomaly Detector — Detect slow leaks from TPMS data trends. Skills: anomaly detection, TPMS. Tools: Python. Data lab, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Drive Cycle Simulator — Simulate fuel and energy use over standard drive cycles. Skills: drive cycles, vehicle models. Tools: Python. Simulator, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Engine Cooling System Sizing — Size a radiator for a given heat rejection and airflow. Skills: heat exchangers, cooling. Tools: Python. Simulator, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Electric Power Steering Model — Model assist torque curves and steering feel. Skills: EPS, control. Tools: Python. Simulator, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Vehicle Crash Energy Calculator — Estimate crash energy and deceleration for impact speeds. Skills: crash physics, energy. Tools: web app. Visualizer, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Hybrid Powertrain Mode Visualizer — Show power flows in series, parallel and power-split hybrids. Skills: hybrid architectures, energy flow. Tools: web app. Visualizer, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Gear Shift Strategy Optimiser — Choose shift points that minimise fuel use for a drive cycle. Skills: shift strategy, optimisation. Tools: Python. Simulator, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Exhaust Gas Temperature Study — Log EGT under different loads and relate it to engine operation. Skills: exhaust temperature, combustion. Tools: thermocouple, logger. Data lab, 15–45 h, $30–150.
• Lane Departure Warning Prototype — Detect lane markings in video and warn on drift. Skills: computer vision, lane detection. Tools: camera, OpenCV. Data lab, 15–45 h, $30–150.
• Vehicle Noise and Vibration Survey — Measure cabin noise and vibration at different speeds. Skills: NVH, measurement. Tools: phone sensors, Python. Data lab, 15–45 h, $30–150.
• Turbocharger Matching Tool — Match a turbo to an engine using compressor maps. Skills: turbocharging, compressor maps. Tools: Python. Visualizer, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Fleet Fuel Card Analytics — Find inefficient vehicles and refuelling anomalies in fleet data. Skills: fleet analytics, anomalies. Tools: Python. Data lab, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Brake Pad Wear Predictor — Estimate pad wear from braking events and driving style. Skills: wear modelling, telematics. Tools: Python. Simulator, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Regenerative Braking Strategy Study — Compare blending strategies of friction and regenerative braking. Skills: regenerative braking, energy recovery. Tools: Python. Simulator, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).

Advanced projects

• ADAS Sensor Fusion Sandbox — Fuse radar and camera detections with tracking to estimate surrounding vehicles. Skills: sensor fusion, tracking, ADAS. Tools: Python. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Vehicle Cybersecurity Threat Model — Build a TARA for a connected vehicle function and rank risks. Skills: threat analysis, TARA, ISO 21434 concepts. Tools: worksheet/web app. Workflow, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Automated Parking Path Planner — Plan parking manoeuvres with kinematic constraints and collision checking. Skills: path planning, vehicle kinematics. Tools: Python. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Vehicle Dynamics Lap Simulator — Simulate lap times from vehicle parameters with a quasi-steady model. Skills: lap simulation, vehicle dynamics. Tools: Python. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Thermal Runaway Early-Warning Demo — Detect early signs of cell thermal runaway from voltage, temperature and gas sensors. Skills: battery safety, early warning. Tools: sensor data, Python. Dashboard, 45–100 h, $30–150.
• Software Update Campaign Manager — Plan and track OTA update campaigns with staged rollout and rollback. Skills: OTA updates, release management. Tools: web app. Workflow, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Powertrain Calibration Explorer — Explore calibration maps and their effect on emissions and economy. Skills: calibration maps, trade-offs. Tools: Python. Visualizer, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Fleet Predictive Maintenance Dashboard — Predict component failures across a fleet from telematics. Skills: predictive maintenance, ML. Tools: Python, dashboard. Dashboard, 45–100 h, $30–150.
• V2X Hazard Alert Prototype — Send hazard warnings between vehicles over a V2X-like radio link. Skills: V2X messaging, latency. Tools: radio modules. Hardware build, 45–100 h, $150+.
• Battery Pack Design Tool — Size series/parallel cell configuration for voltage, energy and power targets. Skills: pack design, cell configuration. Tools: Python. Visualizer, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Electric Motor Efficiency Map — Build efficiency maps for a traction motor from test data. Skills: motor efficiency, mapping. Tools: Python. Data lab, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Adaptive Cruise Control Simulator — Implement ACC with time-gap control and test cut-in scenarios. Skills: ACC, control, scenarios. Tools: Python. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Driver Drowsiness Detection — Detect eye closure and yawning from camera video. Skills: computer vision, drowsiness. Tools: camera, Python. Data lab, 45–100 h, $30–150.
• Electric Vehicle Charging Station Planner — Plan charger locations along a corridor for coverage and demand. Skills: location planning, EV demand. Tools: Python, GIS. Visualizer, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Crash Structure FEA Study — Simulate frontal crash of a simplified rail structure. Skills: crash FEA, energy absorption. Tools: FEA tool. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Torque Vectoring Controller — Distribute torque between wheels to improve cornering. Skills: torque vectoring, yaw control. Tools: Python. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Functional Safety Concept for a Feature — Write a hazard analysis and safety goals for a vehicle feature. Skills: ISO 26262 concepts, HARA. Tools: worksheet. Workflow, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Model — Model fuel-cell vehicle energy flows with a buffer battery. Skills: fuel cell vehicles, energy management. Tools: Python. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Traffic Sign Recognition — Classify traffic signs with a CNN and test robustness. Skills: deep learning, classification. Tools: Python. Data lab, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Vehicle Telematics Data Pipeline — Ingest, clean and store telematics data for analytics. Skills: data pipelines, telematics. Tools: Python, database. Workflow, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Electric Bus Energy Model — Model e-bus energy use over routes with passenger loads. Skills: energy modelling, transit. Tools: Python. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Brake-by-Wire Fault Tolerance Study — Analyse redundancy architectures for brake-by-wire. Skills: fault tolerance, redundancy. Tools: simulation. Simulator, 45–100 h, $30–150.
• Wheel Slip Traction Control — Control wheel slip during acceleration on low-friction roads. Skills: traction control, slip. Tools: Python. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Infotainment Usability Study — Evaluate infotainment task times and distraction. Skills: HMI usability, distraction. Tools: prototype, test plan. Workflow, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Battery Second-Life Assessment — Grade used EV modules for second-life storage. Skills: second-life batteries, grading. Tools: test data, Python. Data lab, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).

Expert projects

• Vehicle Hardware-in-Loop Test Rig — Test an ECU against a real-time vehicle model with fault injection. Skills: HIL, real-time simulation, validation. Tools: real-time PC, ECU. Hardware build, 100 h+, $150+.
• Whole-Vehicle Digital Twin — Mirror a vehicle's energy, thermal and health state from live telemetry. Skills: digital twins, vehicle systems. Tools: Python, telemetry. Digital twin, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Autonomous Driving Scenario Generator — Generate critical test scenarios for an AD stack. Skills: scenario-based testing, coverage. Tools: Python, CARLA. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Battery State-of-Health Estimator With ML — Estimate SoH from charging curves with ML. Skills: battery ageing, ML. Tools: Python, datasets. Data lab, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Model Predictive Energy Management — Use MPC to manage hybrid power split with route preview. Skills: MPC, energy management. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Path Planning in Urban Traffic — Plan safe trajectories among moving agents. Skills: motion planning, prediction. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Cooperative Platooning Control — Control a truck platoon with V2V communication delays. Skills: platooning, string stability. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• LiDAR Point Cloud Object Detection — Detect vehicles and pedestrians in LiDAR scans. Skills: 3D perception, point clouds. Tools: Python, datasets. Data lab, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Wireless EV Charging Alignment System — Align a car over a wireless charging pad with sensors. Skills: wireless charging, alignment. Tools: coils, sensors. Hardware build, 100 h+, $150+.
• Solid-State Battery Vehicle Impact Study — Model how solid-state cells change pack design and range. Skills: battery technology, system impact. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Vehicle Cyber Intrusion Detection — Detect spoofing and flooding attacks in CAN bus traffic with machine-learning anomaly detection. Skills: IDS, anomaly detection. Tools: Python, CAN datasets. Data lab, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• SOTIF Analysis of a Perception Feature — Analyse performance limits and triggering conditions of a perception function. Skills: SOTIF, scenario analysis. Tools: worksheet. Workflow, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Lightweight Body-in-White Optimisation — Optimise a body structure for mass, stiffness and crash. Skills: structural optimisation, crash. Tools: FEA tools. CAD / design, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Predictive Thermal Management for EVs — Pre-condition battery and cabin from route and weather forecasts. Skills: predictive control, thermal management. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Robotaxi Fleet Simulation — Simulate a robotaxi fleet's dispatch, charging and service levels. Skills: fleet simulation, dispatch. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Tyre Wear Prediction With Physics-ML — Combine tyre models with data to predict wear. Skills: hybrid modelling, tyres. Tools: Python. Data lab, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Vehicle-to-Grid Fleet Aggregator — Coordinate EV fleet charging and discharging for grid services. Skills: V2G, optimisation. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Driver Behaviour Scoring Model — Score driving safety from telematics with explainable features. Skills: telematics, scoring, XAI. Tools: Python. Data lab, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• End-of-Life Vehicle Recycling Plan — Plan dismantling and material recovery to maximise recycling rate. Skills: circular economy, recycling. Tools: spreadsheet. Workflow, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Active Suspension With Road Preview — Use camera road preview to control an active suspension. Skills: active suspension, preview control. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Electric Drivetrain Thermal Digital Twin — Mirror motor and inverter temperatures to protect components. Skills: thermal modelling, digital twins. Tools: Python. Digital twin, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Fault-Tolerant Steer-by-Wire Concept — Design redundant steer-by-wire control with degraded modes. Skills: fault tolerance, redundancy. Tools: simulation. Simulator, 100 h+, $150+.
• Automated Valet Parking System Study — Design an infrastructure-based automated parking system. Skills: automation, system design. Tools: simulation. Simulator, 100 h+, $150+.
• Hydrogen Refuelling Station Planner — Plan a hydrogen station's capacity for a truck fleet. Skills: hydrogen infrastructure, planning. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Synthetic Data for Driving Perception — Generate simulated images to improve detection of rare events. Skills: synthetic data, perception. Tools: CARLA, Python. Data lab, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).

Project ideas for every branch · Automobile Engineering roadmap