The 2026 Transportation Innovation Summer Camp hosted by the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley included three transportation-focused activities for high school students:
(1) Experiencing Autonomous Mobility in a Driving Simulator
High school students experienced autonomous driving through an interactive simulator demonstration led by Safety21 affiliated faculty and graduate researchers. The activity introduced the fundamentals of autonomous vehicle technologies, human-AI interaction, and the challenges of designing safe and trustworthy transportation systems.
(2) Exploring Brain Activity and Human-AI Interaction
High school students explored how brain activity can be measured using electroencephalography (EEG) devices and how such data can improve the design of human-centered transportation systems. Safety21 affiliated faculty and graduate researchers demonstrated the role of neuroscience and AI in understanding driver behavior and trust in emerging mobility technologies.
(3) Designing Safe and Intelligent Transportation Systems
Safety21 affiliated faculty and graduate students introduced high school students to the principles of transportation safety, cyber-physical transportation systems, and trustworthy AI. Through interactive presentations and discussions, students learned how data, sensing technologies, and AI are transforming the planning and operation of safer, smarter transportation networks.
