The IMechE KDU Student Chapter had the pleasure of hosting Senior Prof. Sisil Kumarawadu, Senior Professor in Electrical Engineering at the University of Moratuwa and Distinguished Professor at Shanghai University of Electric Power for an enlightening session on the intelligence behind autonomous vehicles. This session was conducted on the 12th of June from 2:30PM to 4:30PM at FOE 2-5 premises.
Titled “Driving Intelligence: Inside the Mind of a Self-Driving Car,” the lecture provided a fascinating breakdown of how self-driving systems perceive, process and respond to their environment. It opened with a Tesla autopilot demo, drawing the audience into the world of AI-powered mobility. Prof. Kumarawadu used an engaging analogy comparing the processing system of an autonomous vehicle to the human brain, where sensors act like senses, computation mimics cognition and actuators behave like limbs.
He briefly introduced terms like neural networks and touched on key AI and machine learning (ML) principles, while acknowledging the complexity of the topic. The core focus was on how training data is collected through sensor-equipped vehicles driven by professionals, uploaded to cloud servers and used to create models that are then installed in cars. These systems continuously gather data from each journey, uploading it for ongoing improvement through server-based updates.
He further discussed the computational limitations of onboard vehicle processors, explaining why training cannot happen in real-time and emphasizing the role of centralized AI training facilities. The comparison between traditional and autonomous driving highlighted how self-driving technology aims to reduce human error, distinguishing between accident prevention (driver fault) and avoidance (external threats).
The session concluded with a Q&A segment followed by the presentation of a Token of Appreciation to Senior Prof. Sisil Kumarawadu in recognition of his valued contribution in sharing his knowledge.
