FS East 2025: Introducing the Driverless Cup and Discontinuing the Standalone DV Class
We are excited to announce an important update for FS East 2025. After careful consideration of recent trends and team preferences, we have decided to discontinue the standalone Driverless Vehicle (DV) class. Instead, we are introducing the Driverless Cup (DC)—an optional addition for teams registered in the Combustion Vehicle (CV) or Electric Vehicle (EV) classes.
Please note that autonomous functionality is optional; cars are not required to have autonomous capabilities to participate in the CV or EV classes, and all CV or EV points are attainable without any driverless functionality. The Driverless Cup is an optional opportunity for those interested in driverless racing.
Why the Change?
In recent years, we observed a growing trend of teams building multiclass cars capable of competing in both CV/EV and DV categories. Recognizing this shift, we decided last year to disallow the use of older cars in the DV class, requiring that only first-year vehicles be used—just as in the CV and EV classes[1]. This change contributed to a higher ratio of multiclass teams, with 11 out of 13 teams last year being EV-DV multiclass teams and only two exclusively competing in the DV class. These developments indicate a decreased demand for a standalone DV class.
What Does the Driverless Cup Offer?
- Unlimited Participation: There is no slot limit for the Driverless Cup. Any team registered in the CV or EV class can participate, provided they meet the prerequisites outlined in the FS Rules and the Competition Handbook.
- Static Events Adjustments:
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- Business Plan Presentation and Cost and Manufacturing events will not have a separate Driverless Cup ranking.
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- The Engineering Design Event will be held jointly with the CV or EV event. Additional driverless topics will be included for extra points that count toward the Driverless Cup. Finals may be held separately.
- Registration Fee: An additional fee is required to register for the Driverless Cup, on top of the CV or EV class registration fee. This fee will be lower than the DV class registration fee from FS East 2024.
- Mandatory CV or EV Registration with Independent Scoring: Teams cannot register solely for the Driverless Cup; participation in either the CV or EV class is required. However, performance in CV or EV dynamic events will not influence Driverless Cup scoring.
- Dynamic Events Unchanged: The dynamic events for the Driverless Cup will remain the same as those in the DV class of FS East 2024. Teams should prepare for autonomous challenges as per previous guidelines.
Further Details
Additional information on participation and registration will be available in the FS East 2025 Competition Handbook. Teams should expect a ruleset similar to the DV class of FS East 2024, with the changes mentioned above.
Stay tuned for more updates. We look forward to seeing you at FS East 2025!
[1] Recent change in FS Rules 2025 A 2.2.3 is respected and will not be overruled by the Competition Handbook.
