Core Viewpoint - VLA (Vision-Language-Action) is emerging as a mainstream keyword in autonomous driving, with rapid advancements in both academia and industry, aiming to overcome the limitations of traditional modular architectures and enhance the capabilities of autonomous systems [1][5]. Summary by Sections VLA Research and Development - The transition from traditional modular architectures to end-to-end models is marked by the introduction of VLA, which aims to unify sensor inputs directly into driving commands, addressing previous bottlenecks in the development of autonomous driving systems [2][5]. - The VLA model leverages large language models (LLMs) to enhance reasoning, explanation, and interaction capabilities, making it a significant advancement in the field [5]. Traditional Modular Architecture - Early autonomous driving systems (L2-L4) utilized a modular design, where each module (e.g., object detection, trajectory prediction) was developed independently, leading to issues such as error accumulation and information loss [3]. - The limitations of traditional architectures include reliance on manually designed rules, making it difficult to handle complex traffic scenarios [3][4]. Emergence of Pure Vision End-to-End Models - The rise of pure vision end-to-end models, exemplified by NVIDIA's DAVE-2 and Wayve, aimed to simplify system architecture through imitation learning, but faced challenges related to transparency and generalization in unseen scenarios [4][5]. VLA Paradigm - The VLA paradigm introduces a new approach where language serves as a bridge between perception and action, enhancing the model's interpretability and trustworthiness [5]. - VLA models can utilize pre-trained knowledge from LLMs to better understand complex traffic situations and make logical decisions, improving generalization to novel scenarios [5]. Course Objectives and Structure - The course aims to provide a systematic understanding of VLA, addressing gaps in knowledge and practical skills, and includes a comprehensive curriculum covering various aspects of VLA research [6][12]. - The program consists of 12 weeks of online group research, followed by 2 weeks of paper guidance, and an additional 10 weeks for paper maintenance, focusing on both theoretical and practical applications [7][30]. Enrollment and Requirements - The course is designed for individuals with a background in deep learning and basic knowledge of autonomous driving algorithms, requiring familiarity with Python and PyTorch [16][19]. - The class size is limited to 6-8 participants to ensure personalized attention and effective learning [11]. Course Highlights - Participants will gain insights into classic and cutting-edge papers, coding skills, and methodologies for writing and submitting research papers, enhancing their academic and professional profiles [12][15][30].

Core Viewpoint - VLA (Vision-Language-Action) is emerging as a mainstream keyword in autonomous driving, with new players rapidly entering the field and industrial production accelerating, while academia continues to innovate and compete [1][2]. Summary by Sections 1. VLA Research and Development - The VLA model represents a shift from traditional modular architectures to a unified end-to-end model that directly maps raw sensor inputs to driving control commands, addressing previous bottlenecks in autonomous driving technology [3][4]. - Traditional modular architectures (L2-L4) have clear advantages in terms of logic and independent debugging but suffer from cumulative error effects and information loss, making them less effective in complex traffic scenarios [4][5]. 2. VLA Model Advantages - The introduction of VLA models leverages the strengths of large language models (LLMs) to enhance interpretability, reliability, and the ability to generalize to unseen scenarios, thus overcoming limitations of earlier models [5][6]. - VLA models can explain their decision-making processes in natural language, improving transparency and trust in autonomous systems [5][6]. 3. Course Objectives and Structure - The course aims to provide a systematic understanding of VLA, helping participants develop practical skills in model design and research paper writing, while also addressing common challenges faced by newcomers in the field [6][7]. - The curriculum includes 12 weeks of online group research, followed by 2 weeks of paper guidance and 10 weeks of paper maintenance, focusing on both theoretical knowledge and practical coding skills [7][8]. 4. Enrollment and Requirements - The program is designed for a small group of 6 to 8 participants, targeting individuals with a foundational understanding of deep learning and basic programming skills [11][16]. - Participants are expected to engage actively in discussions and complete assignments on time, maintaining academic integrity throughout the course [20][29]. 5. Course Highlights - The course offers a comprehensive learning experience with a multi-faceted teaching approach, including guidance from experienced mentors and a structured evaluation system to track progress [23][24]. - Participants will gain access to essential resources, including datasets and baseline codes, to facilitate their research and experimentation [24][25].