Skip to content

YOUNG ENGINEERS CRACK THE LAND ROVER CODE IN ABU DHABI

 More than 150 talented future software engineers from schools in 16 countries gathered in Abu Dhabi for the Land Rover 4×4 in Schools Technology Challenge world finals.

The bright young engineers, aged 11-19, used computer coding to programme miniature remote-controlled four-wheel-drive vehicles they have designed and built for a two-day competition at the Yas Marina Circuit. One of the challenges saw the vehicles negotiate a demanding course that wound its way over and through Land Rover Discovery SUVs.

The contest, which supports curriculum learning, included an autonomous car coding challenge, reflecting Jaguar Land Rover’s commitment to Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects and a desire to recruit the next generation of engineers to design and develop future electric, connected and autonomous vehicles. The surprise coding task required them to optimise an existing set of code to help a model SUV complete a pre-set course in the fastest possible time.

K-EVO from Portugal were crowned 2017 champions; with Panthera, Malaysia and Fair Dinkum 4×4, Australia in second and third places respectively.

Alex Heslop, Director of Electrical Engineering, Jaguar Land Rover, said: “I am hugely passionate about engineering and inspiring more young people to consider STEM careers. The Land Rover 4×4 in Schools competition will help us fill exciting future roles in software systems, cyber systems, app development and graphics performance. The new coding challenge is a great way to introduce young people to the importance of software innovation in our cutting-edge business.”

Team leader Luís Ligeiro, aged 17, said: “The challenge has provided us with fantastic hands-on experience of running a mini-business and writing our own code. We were all interested in STEM before but now, after learning all about the Land Rover Discovery production processes and electronics, we’d love to be engineers innovating and creating vehicles in the future.”

The global competition has helped the company reach more than three million young people since 2000. Teams qualify for the world finals through a series of regional and national events, with the winning team, K-EVO having come first in the Portuguese National Final.

The winning vehicle features multi-link suspension, replicating the Land Rover Discovery, and was made using natural, modern and recycled materials such as biopolymers, plastics and aluminium which were a key consideration in the judges’ scoring.

The UK’s leading investor in research and development, Jaguar Land Rover has launched a global initiative which aims to recruit more than 1,000 electronic and software engineers to its expanding business. In June this year, the company launched an innovative, mixed-reality recruitment app in collaboration with virtual band Gorillaz to find global future engineering talent.

For more information, or to find out more about working for Jaguar Land Rover, visit www.jaguarlandrovercareers.com.

 

For Land Rover Freelander 1.8, 2.5 2.0 TD4 2000-2006 Brake Caliper Front Left
eBay
£67.99
For Land Rover Freelander 1.8, 2.5 2.0 TD4 2000-2006 Brake Caliper Front Left
LAND ROVER FREELANDER STARTER MOTOR L SERIES DIESEL
eBay
£60.00
LAND ROVER FREELANDER STARTER MOTOR L SERIES DIESEL
LAND ROVER FREELANDER 2 RIGHT HAND REAR WHEEL ARCH REPAIR PANEL
eBay
£56.40
LAND ROVER FREELANDER 2 RIGHT HAND REAR WHEEL ARCH REPAIR PANEL
Range Rover Sport L320 ABS Pump Valve Block ECU Unit LR019347 (A)
eBay
£50.00
Range Rover Sport L320 ABS Pump Valve Block ECU Unit LR019347 (A)
-5%
Land Rover Range Rover Sport Multimedia Display Screen Unit CH2214F667AG 05-13
eBay
£66.49 £69.99
Land Rover Range Rover Sport Multimedia Display Screen Unit CH2214F667AG 05-13
Alloy Wheels 19" R4 For Tvr Land rover Freelander 1 5x114 Grey
eBay
£829.00
Alloy Wheels 19" R4 For Tvr Land rover Freelander 1 5x114 Grey
INTERCOOLER TO FIT LAND ROVER DISCOVERY RANGE ROVER SPORT 3.0 TURBO DIESEL
eBay
£192.99
INTERCOOLER TO FIT LAND ROVER DISCOVERY RANGE ROVER SPORT 3.0 TURBO DIESEL
-15%
10-13 RANGE ROVER SPORT L320 REAR ELECTRIC POWER TAILGATE BOOT STRUT CH3270354AB
eBay
£80.75 £95.00
10-13 RANGE ROVER SPORT L320 REAR ELECTRIC POWER TAILGATE BOOT STRUT CH3270354AB
FRONT LEFT BRAKE HOSE FITS: LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER IV 3.0 SDV6 4X4/3.0 TDV6 4
eBay
£65.00
FRONT LEFT BRAKE HOSE FITS: LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER IV 3.0 SDV6 4X4/3.0 TDV6 4
Gates Deflection Guide Pulley V-Ribbed Belt For Skoda Octavia 2004-2010 1.9
eBay
£211.88
Gates Deflection Guide Pulley V-Ribbed Belt For Skoda Octavia 2004-2010 1.9
2024 LAND ROVER DEFENDER L663 SUSPENSION CORNER HUB FRONT LEFT LPLA-3C257-AD
eBay
£699.00
2024 LAND ROVER DEFENDER L663 SUSPENSION CORNER HUB FRONT LEFT LPLA-3C257-AD
GENUINE DISCOVERY SPORT L550 PASSENGERS SIDE FRONT LEFT WING IN FUJI WHITE
eBay
£139.95
GENUINE DISCOVERY SPORT L550 PASSENGERS SIDE FRONT LEFT WING IN FUJI WHITE
-28%
The Complete Catalogue of the Land Rover: Production Variants from Series 1 to Defender
Amazon.co.uk
£32.05 £45.00
PRIMEPRIME
The Complete Catalogue of the Land Rover: Production Variants from Series 1 to Defender
Quay Land Rover Woodcraft Construction Kit FSC
Amazon.co.uk
£11.95
PRIMEPRIME
Quay Land Rover Woodcraft Construction Kit FSC
-46%
The Calendar King // Landy Defender - Landie Defender - 2025 Wall Calendar (Full Colour, A4 Size)
Amazon.co.uk
£7.47 £13.95
PRIMEPRIME
The Calendar King // Landy Defender - Landie Defender - 2025 Wall Calendar (Full Colour, A4 Size)
ECONG Do Not Even Think About Touching My Land Rover Metal Wall Sign Tin Signs Warning Hanging Vintage Art Foil Poster Animal Band Building Painting Celebrity Bar Cafe Garden Public Gift
Amazon.co.uk
£7.98
ECONG Do Not Even Think About Touching My Land Rover Metal Wall Sign Tin Signs Warning Hanging Vintage Art Foil Poster Animal Band Building Painting...
Fine China Mug | 4 x 4 Land Rover | 1 Piece - 13x9x10 cm
Amazon.co.uk
£7.40
PRIMEPRIME
Fine China Mug | 4 x 4 Land Rover | 1 Piece - 13x9x10 cm
-8%
Land Rover: The Story of the Car that Conquered the World
Amazon.co.uk
£10.05 £10.99
PRIMEPRIME
Land Rover: The Story of the Car that Conquered the World
-10%
They Found Our Engineer: The Story of Arthur Goddard. The Land Rover's first Engineer
Amazon.co.uk
£12.62 £14.05
PRIMEPRIME
They Found Our Engineer: The Story of Arthur Goddard. The Land Rover's first Engineer
CDecor Land Rover Vintage Metal Tin Sign Wall Poster Decorative Tin Sign for Coffee Bar Film Gift Wedding Birthday
Amazon.co.uk
£9.98
CDecor Land Rover Vintage Metal Tin Sign Wall Poster Decorative Tin Sign for Coffee Bar Film Gift Wedding Birthday
Amazon price updated: May 10, 2025 4:54 pm