cupra it internship

Key Contributions

​Work

1. End-to-End Programming and Development:

   • Designed and implemented a gamified experience in Unity, handling all in-engine development tasks from scratch.

   • Programmed the core gameplay mechanics, interface interactions, and dynamic elements, ensuring an intuitive and visually appealing user experience.

2. Integration with Automotive Systems:

   • Worked with the CAN-bus protocol to fetch real-time car data, such as speed, fuel level, and navigation status.

   • Programmed solutions to process and display this data in a meaningful and gamified way, providing users with feedback and incentives for eco-friendly or efficient driving behavior.

3. Dual-Screen Integration:

   • Integrated the gamified system across both car screens—the main infotainment screen and the driver dashboard display.

   • Ensured synchronized functionality and responsiveness between the two displays, offering a cohesive and interactive experience.

4. Gamification Features:

   • Developed reward systems, progression mechanics, and driver challenges to motivate efficient driving and enhance the user’s sense of achievement.

   • Designed the UI/UX to align with Cupra’s brand identity, ensuring consistency and user-friendliness.

Technical Stack

• Unity Engine: Full-stack development of the gamified application.

• C#: Programming the gameplay systems, UI interactions, and CAN-bus data handling.

• CAN-bus Communication: Interfacing with automotive hardware to retrieve and utilize real-time vehicle data.

Challenges and Solutions

• Real-Time Data Handling: Ensuring accurate and lag-free integration of CAN-bus data into the Unity environment.

  • Solution: Wrote optimized scripts to process large volumes of incoming data while maintaining system performance.

• System Synchronization: Creating a seamless experience across two independent car screens.

  • Solution: Built custom logic for screen communication and tested extensively to achieve flawless synchronization.

• User Customization: Providing a customization system for the elements in the new gamified experience.

  • Solution: Custom menus and full virtual car and companion customization options for the users to feel rewarded when completing missions and achievements in-game. 

• GPS Synchronization: Creating a smooth experience with the GPS system for in-car demonstration.

  • Working with the CAN-bus ​

Outcome and Impact

This project demonstrated the potential for gamified infotainment systems to:

• Improve driver engagement: Interactive challenges and rewards encouraged safe and efficient driving habits.

• Leverage real-time data: Showcased the possibilities of integrating real-world car performance metrics into a game-like framework.

• Expand in-car entertainment: Positioned Cupra as an innovator in creating unique in-car experiences through gamification.

Takeaways

This experience allowed me to deepen my knowledge in automotive technology, real-time systems integration, and gamification design. It was also a rewarding opportunity to explore how game development principles can redefine user interactions beyond traditional gaming platforms.