RALEIGH — Smart cars are center stage at a summer workshop atN.C. State. High school students are getting a hands-on lesson in computer programming and robotics.

David Cameron of New Bern is not feeling the heat of competition because he is letting his robotic car do all of the work.

"It's just fun. I feel no competition really," Cameron says. "We're just doing it for fun."

In four days, the students have learned basic wiring and basic computer programming with their robotic cars.

"Basically, we took a little Tyco remote control car, took everything out of it and we put in our own microchip wiring," Cameron says. LED's paired with sensors on the bottom of the car distinguish white from black or sometimes they don't.

"On board is a small computer chip that can be programmed through a serial port that we mount on the side print circuit board." -->

"I just think it's great these kids are getting a chance to do something like this with four days to build a vehicle that runs through this type of competition. It's pretty amazing," says parent Bob Heim.

The workshop at N.C. State attracts students from across the country.