Graduate Student Presents Autonomous Vehicle Research at the 2026 IEEE Vehicular Technology Conference
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi computer science doctoral student Abdullah Anjum ’30 traveled to Boston, Massachusetts, to present his research at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC) 2026, held September 6–9. The conference brought together researchers and industry professionals from around the world to discuss advances in wireless communications, connected vehicles, and emerging transportation technologies.
Anjum earned his master's degree in computer science from TAMU-CC in May 2026 and is now pursuing his doctorate at the university. He conducts research in the Cognitive Intelligence Motion (CIM) Lab under the guidance of Dr. Mehdi Sookhak. His interest in computers and automobiles led him to explore autonomous vehicle technology, particularly how connected vehicles communicate and exchange information through wireless networks.
At the conference, Anjum presented his research paper, MINT -V2X. The research introduces a dataset designed to help researchers predict autonomous vehicle movement and wireless network performance. Using computer simulations based on a map of Corpus Christi, Anjum modeled vehicle movements under realistic traffic conditions and analyzed how autonomous vehicles could communicate with one another and nearby roadside infrastructure. By combining vehicle trajectory data with wireless network measurements, the dataset was designed to help researchers predict both future vehicle movements and communication performance.
For Anjum, IEEE VTC 2026 marked his first opportunity to present his research at an international conference. He connected with researchers from countries including China, Taiwan, and Brazil, receiving feedback on his work and learning about related developments in the field.
“It was really an eye-opening experience,” Anjum said. “I gained so much insight about what's going on in the field, whether I'm in the right direction or not, and what I could do to improve my own research for the future.”
Beyond presenting his paper, Anjum attended technical sessions and presentations exploring emerging technologies, including the transition from 5G to 6G wireless communications. Discussions involving industry professionals from NVIDIA and Qualcomm provided additional insight into how future wireless networks and computing technologies could support autonomous transportation systems.
The conference also helped Anjum identify new directions for his doctoral research. Building on his master's research on vehicle movement and network predictions, he plans to focus more closely on cybersecurity and protecting communication between autonomous vehicles and drones. The experience reinforced his research interests and helped him better understand the technical challenges and opportunities facing the industry.
Anjum's participation was supported by funding through the university's Office of Student Excellence Experience, as well as funds from the Provost and Parents Council. The support helped cover conference registration and lodging, allowing him to present his research, connect with international experts, and gain professional experience in his field.
Through his participation in IEEE VTC 2026, Anjum demonstrated how TAMU-CC graduate research contributes to advancements in emerging technologies. His experience highlights the importance of academic research, professional collaboration, and international conferences in preparing students to address future challenges in wireless communications and autonomous transportation.
To learn more about Anjum's work on autonomous vehicle communication and wireless network prediction, explore his research paper, MINT V2X, presented at IEEE VTC 2026: Read the paper.