Lorenzo Carena, born and raised in Italy, graduated with a master’s degree in Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Engineering (CAVE) from Cranfield University in June 2022. While the initial part of his studies was disrupted by COVID-19 lockdowns, his typical days involved on-campus lectures, practical sessions, and socialising with classmates.

Following his internship in Belgium, Lorenzo chose Cranfield for its reputation, industry partnerships, course structure, and positive alumni feedback. The university’s strong research background in aviation and automotive, coupled with its extensive network in the automotive industry, particularly impressed him. The professors’ industry experience and a recommendation from a friend studying at Cranfield solidified his decision.

The CAVE program perfectly complemented Lorenzo’s mechanical engineering background, delving deeper into controls and automation. The course structure covered the complexities of automated and autonomous driving, and it highlighted the hands-on learning opportunities through lectures, assignments, and access to the department’s vehicle prototypes workshop.

“The Group Design project stands out,” Lorenzo recalls. “My team and I frequently collaborated in the IMEC workshop and study rooms.”

Currently, Lorenzo works as a System Engineer in the Control Systems Team at Rimac Technology in Zagreb, Croatia, where he contributes to the development of cutting-edge hypercars. The knowledge gained at Cranfield in control systems, embedded systems, automotive communication protocols, system engineering, and automotive safety regulations has proven invaluable in his role.

Reflecting on his journey at Cranfield, he believes that it has provided an intense and exciting academic experience. Beyond studying, he became the first CAVE MSc course representative and Education Representative for the School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing. In this position, he was able to address issues, bring up concerns, submit requests to the university, and work with all parties to find solutions together.

“Being a bridge between the university and students allowed me to interact with many people and work collaboratively to find solutions,” he says. “The university’s willingness to listen to students was particularly commendable.”

Lorenzo co-founded the Cranfield Autonomous Vehicle Society to organise events related to assisted, automated, and autonomous driving. Through this society, many students were able to contact industry representatives to help broaden their knowledge of the world of assisted, automated, and autonomous driving technologies.

Looking ahead, he aspires to continuously learn and grow in the automotive engineering field, contributing to creating the best supercars and hypercars while inspiring and leading others. He also envisions using his engineering skills for social causes, potentially through organisations like Engineers Without Borders.

For those considering Cranfield, Lorenzo offers this advice:

• Passion is key: Approach learning with passion, both during studies and your career. It’s not just about passing exams but building a strong technical foundation.
• Curiosity is crucial: Actively seek opportunities to expand your knowledge and network beyond academics.
• Value teamwork: Be humble and appreciate your colleagues. Effective teamwork is essential.