FPT launches first Automotive Hackathon, offering total prizes worth VND 250 million

FPT has officially launched Automotive Hackathon 2026 under the theme “Shape The AI-Defined Mobility Era”, creating a large-scale competition for engineers, developers, and students passionate about smart mobility and automotive technologies.

This marks the first time FPT has organized the competition, aiming to discover breakthrough ideas and solutions that apply artificial intelligence (AI) to next-generation vehicles while fostering a high-quality talent community for the automotive industry, which is rapidly evolving into the AI era.

As vehicles become increasingly defined by software and data, AI is emerging as a core technology that enables smarter, safer, and more personalized mobility experiences. From driving assistants and user behavior recognition to operational optimization and in-vehicle experiences, AI is driving profound changes across the global automotive industry. Automotive Hackathon 2026 is designed to encourage Vietnam’s technology community to address real-world challenges and help shape the future of mobility through innovative and practical solutions.

FPT organizes its first-ever Automotive Hackathon.

The competition is open to individuals living, studying, and working in Vietnam, including IT engineers with at least one year of experience, students, and technology enthusiasts interested in automotive software development. Participants should possess knowledge or experience in one or more of the following areas: Embedded Software, C/C++, Linux, Python, AI, Android Automotive, AUTOSAR, or Rust. Contestants aged 16 and above may register individually or as a team. In addition to technical expertise, the competition encourages applicants with strong systems thinking and teamwork capabilities.

Throughout the competition, teams will gain access to real-world datasets, participate in AI model training, develop solutions, and build prototypes under the guidance of experienced automotive technology experts. Participants will also have opportunities to engage with technology groups specializing in CDC (Cockpit), AIDV (AI-Defined Vehicle), CCS, and AUTOSAR to further refine their ideas and solutions. More than a competition, Automotive Hackathon 2026 provides a valuable opportunity to learn about modern automotive software development processes and practical AI applications in real-world production and product development environments.

The top-performing teams will present their solutions during Demo Day before a panel of industry experts and technology leaders. The competition offers a total prize pool of VND 250 million, along with opportunities for professional networking, skill development, and participation in global-scale automotive technology projects.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Kinh, Director of FPT Automotive, FPT Corporation, said: “Automotive Hackathon 2026 is not only about discovering innovative ideas but also about building a community of engineers capable of creating technology products that carry Vietnam’s mark in the global automotive industry. We hope the competition will become a gathering place for young technology enthusiasts who are ready to challenge themselves and contribute to shaping the future of smart mobility in the AI era.”

FPT aims to build a community of engineers capable of developing technology products for the global automotive industry.

Automotive Hackathon 2026 will take place from June 15 to August 23, 2026, featuring multiple rounds designed to help teams transform ideas into practical products.

The registration period runs from June 15 to July 12. Following the application review phase from July 12–19, the Organizing Committee will announce the Top 20 teams on July 20.

From July 20 to August 10, teams will enter the solution development phase on an FPT-built cloud platform. Participants will receive direct mentorship from FPT’s technology experts and experienced automotive engineers. Round 1 submissions will be evaluated between August 10–17, with the Top 5 teams advancing to the finals.

The finalists will participate in a live coding challenge on August 22 before competing in the Final Demo Day on August 23 in Hanoi, where they will present their products, AI models, and solutions to a panel of automotive and technology experts.

FPT’s automotive technologies showcased at international exhibitions.

In the automotive technology sector, FPT has built a global workforce of more than 5,000 automotive software engineers and established strategic partnerships with leading automakers and technology suppliers worldwide to develop smarter, safer, and more sustainable mobility solutions. FPT is currently engaged in key domains including AI-Defined Vehicles (AIDV), Software-Defined Vehicles (SDV), Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), infotainment, vehicle connectivity, electric vehicles, and AI-powered automotive applications.

For more information and registration, visit: https://fptautomotive-hackathon.com/ or the FPT Automotive Career fanpage.