Driverless Racing Vehicle

Formula Electric Racing NUST, based at PNEC, NUST, is Pakistan’s first team to design and manufacture a formula-style electric vehicle for international Formula Student competitions.

What began as a student-led engineering dream soon became a national milestone. FERN introduced Pakistan to electric formula racing and laid the foundation for electric vehicle culture in the country.

FSUK'2023:

Our Historic Beginning

In 2016, FERN created history by manufacturing Pakistan’s first-ever formula-style electric vehicle. That same year, the team represented Pakistan at Formula SAE Electric in the United States, becoming the first Pakistani FSAE team to raise the green flag on American soil.

This achievement was not only a technical success. It was a proud moment for Pakistan, proving that young engineers from the country could compete on international platforms with passion, skill, and determination.

International Representation

Over the years, FERN has represented Pakistan in prestigious competitions, including:

• Formula SAE Electric 2016

• Formula Student UK 2018

• Formula Student UK 2021

• Formula Student Russia 2021

• Formula Student UK 2023

• Formula Student AI 2025

One of the team’s most historic accomplishments came at Formula Student Russia 2021, where FERN secured second position and achieved the first-ever podium for Pakistan in any Formula Student event.

This moment became a symbol of what Pakistani students can achieve when ambition is supported by opportunity.

Key Achievements

FERN’s excellence has been recognized through several national and international milestones:

• People’s Choice Innovation Award of the Year by Pakistan Innovation Foundation

• Runners-up position at DICE Automotive

• Ranked among the top student innovations at Momentum Tech Conference

• Spirit of Exhibition Award at ITIF Asia Auto and Trade Exhibition

• First-ever podium for Pakistan at Formula Student Russia 2021

• 3rd position in the Engineering Design Event at Formula Student UK 2021

• Ranked 1st among Asian teams at Formula Student UK 2023

• 4th position in Real World AI at Formula Student AI 2025

• 9th position in Lap Time Simulation at Formula Student AI 2025

These achievements reflect the team’s dedication to engineering excellence, sustainability, and national representation.

Media Recognition

FERN’s journey has gained strong media attention across Pakistan and internationally. The team was selected by Bank Alfalah for its Rising Talent Programme and became the subject of a television commercial.You can view the famous TVC here:

FERN has also been featured across leading platforms, including IMechE, Mashable, ProPakistani, Dive Magazine, Tribune Magazine, and the HBL PSL “Hamaray Heroes” campaign.

These features helped bring national attention to the talent, resilience, and innovation of Pakistani engineering students.

Global Collaboration

A defining moment in FERN’s journey was its collaboration with Tesla as an Innovation Partner, making FERN the only team from Pakistan to receive such recognition from a global technology leader.

This partnership strengthened the team’s credibility and highlighted the potential of Pakistani engineers in electric mobility, sustainable transportation, and future automotive technology.

Moving Towards Driverless Technology

After establishing Pakistan’s presence in electric Formula Student racing, FERN is now moving toward an even greater goal: building Pakistan’s first Driverless Racing Vehicle.

For the past five years, the team has been working on autonomous vehicle research, development, and testing.

Our work includes:

• Autonomous software architecture

• Perception systems

• Sensor fusion

• State estimation

• Motion planning

• Vehicle control algorithms

• Electrical and autonomous subsystem integration

Formula Student AI 2025 Milestone

After five years of conceptualization, FERN successfully tested its autonomous software stack on a full-scale competition vehicle at Formula Student UK AI Class 2025.

As the only Formula Student team from Asia to compete in the autonomous category, FERN achieved outstanding results in the Concept Class competition.

This milestone validated our years of research and confirmed that our autonomous systems are ready to move from concept testing toward complete vehicle implementation.

Why This Prototype Matters

Just like our first electric vehicle in 2016, we are now preparing to build Pakistan’s first Formula-style Driverless Racing Vehicle.

This prototype will serve as:

• A validation platform for autonomous algorithms

• A testing platform for perception and control systems

• A research platform for driverless mobility

• A national milestone in autonomous vehicle development

• A foundation for future innovation in Pakistan’s mobility sector

The project is not only about building a race car. It is about shaping the future of autonomous mobility in Pakistan.

Sponsorship Requirement

After finalizing the core autonomous and electrical subsystems, we are now seeking monetary support of USD 2,000.

This sponsorship will help us complete the next phase of development, including:

• Fabrication of structural systems

• Fabrication of powertrain systems

• Mechanical subsystem development

• Complete system integration

• Vehicle assembly and validation

• Testing of the final driverless prototype

Below is the Bill of Material:

Our Chassi Design is shown below:

Battery Pack Design:

Steering Assembly Design:

Why Partner With FERN

By sponsoring this project, your organization will directly support the development of Pakistan’s first Formula-style Driverless Racing Vehicle.

Your support will help:

• Empower young Pakistani engineers

• Promote innovation in autonomous mobility

• Support sustainable and intelligent transportation

• Strengthen Pakistan’s presence in international engineering competitions

• Associate your brand with technology, progress, and national achievement

Closing Statement

FERN has already proven that Pakistani students can build the country’s first Formula-style electric vehicle and compete internationally with pride.

Now, with your support, we aim to take the next historic step: building Pakistan’s first Formula-style Driverless Racing Vehicle.

Together, we can transform years of research, dedication, and innovation into a working autonomous prototype that represents Pakistan’s future in intelligent mobility.

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