Enabling Autonomous Vehicles: Gaps in Research and Education Infrastructure

Abstract

Digital Artificial Intelligence (AI), exemplified by Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, has achieved remarkable progress across a wide range of applications, driven not only by advances in algorithms but also by the emergence of a shared research ecosystem built upon commodity computing platforms, standardized software frameworks, open-source models, benchmark datasets, cloud infrastructure, and broadly accessible educational resources. In contrast, Autonomous Vehicles (AV), AI systems that perceive, reason, and act in the physical world, have advanced more slowly despite substantial public and private investment. Progress remains constrained by fragmented research and educational infrastructure that limits reproducibility, interoperability, scalable validation, and workforce development. This paper surveys the current state of the AV research ecosystem, including hardware platforms, autonomy software stacks, datasets, simulation environments, digital twins, testing and validation frameworks, and educational programs. Drawing lessons from the evolution of Digital AI, the paper identifies key gaps in accessibility, standardization, integration, and openness across the AV technology stack and outlines opportunities to develop shared research testbeds, modular open platforms, interoperable software and data ecosystems, common benchmarks, and interdisciplinary educational programs that can accelerate autonomous vehicle innovation. Finally, the paper provides a framework for evaluating AV research and educational infrastructure which identifies priorities for future investment.