England’s GOODWOOD–BUSINESS WIRE
The Bridgestone-sponsored Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC) will ascend the Hillclimb at the Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard from July 11–14, 2024, to display the World’s Fastest Autonomous Racecar. PoliMOVE-MSU software and UNIMORE Racing support will drive the IAC’s AV-24 completely autonomous racecar this year.
AV-24 is a fully automated racecar that uses a Dallara chassis from the Indianapolis NXT series. It is equipped with a cutting-edge robotics platform that was created in collaboration with top manufacturers of autonomous hardware and software. So far, the IAC has hosted autonomous racing events at renowned locations like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, and Monza F1 Circuit—also referred to as the Temple of Speed—that have brought together 10 teams from 18 colleges. The Indy Autonomous Challenge will make its competitive debut in the UK at the 2024 Festival of Speed, where it promises to test the technology in novel and demanding ways.
The Indy Autonomous Challenge, together with its university teams, was founded in 2021 and has since broken multiple world records for high-speed ground-based autonomy:
Record-breaking autonomous land speed of 192.2 mph
180 mph was the highest on-track speed.
On-track fastest head-to-head overtake at 177 mph
9,000 miles is the most autonomous racing mileage ever accrued.
The introduction of the Indianapolis Autonomous Challenge to Goodwood in 2023 as a component of Future Lab, sponsored by Randox, last year demonstrated the IAC’s important role in promoting automobile driving technology through international competitions. In addition, the Technical University of Munich scanned Goodwood hill at a low speed using their autonomous racecar. This allowed them to create a digital replica of the course, which will be useful for this year’s completely automated hillclimb.
“We are eager to undertake the unique challenges presented by the Goodwood Hillclimb,” said Paul Mitchell, Chairman and President of the Indy Autonomous Challenge, expressing excitement about the impending event. Goodwood’s Hillclimb, in contrast to the well-known ovals and Formula One road courses, will test the accuracy of sensor perception, GPS localization, vehicle dynamics, and path planning in novel ways. It also offers a historical setting against which to present the future of high-speed autonomous mobility and the creative university teams that are driving it.”
The Future Lab and STEM initiatives aimed at young people keen to participate in robotics in the future will be included in the event, which is a part of Goodwood’s FOS TECH program. It will showcase the newest advancements in automotive technology and alternative fuels. The IAC university teams will use Goodwood hill to go for an autonomous world record, showcasing their skills. In addition to providing entertainment, autonomous racing will shed light on how artificial intelligence (AI) drivers can transform vehicle efficiency and safety on public roads and in supply chains.
Regarding the Festival of Speed’s function in presenting technological progress, its creator, the Duke of Richmond, said, “This year, our new FOS TECH ethos will bring together our future technology and mobility content.” Visitors to the Festival of Speed can witness the work of trailblazing innovators and their vision for the future of the world by touring Future Lab, presented by Randox, Electric Avenue, or taking in content on the Hill.”
Chief Marketing Officer for Bridgestone in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), Sara Correa, continued, “Collaboratively developing and advancing the future of mobility is what truly matters.” With events like the Goodwood Hillclimb, Bridgestone is pleased to collaborate with the IAC and its student engineers to test and advance autonomous technologies. The lessons we gain from racing can be transferred to the sustainable solutions we create for society and our clients. Racing is the ultimate challenge.”
Teams taking part include PoliMOVE-MSU, which is made up of individuals from Michigan State University and Politecnico di Milano in Italy, with assistance from UNIMORE Racing from the Universities of Modena and Reggio Emilia in Italy.
The inaugural appearance of an exhibitor from Future Lab at the Hillclimb will be made by the IAC during the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Engaging educational workshops on cutting-edge technologies including driverless cars, drones, robotics, augmented and virtual reality, generative AI, sensor fusion, and the Internet of Things will also be available to guests of this year’s event. In cooperation with Durham University’s solar-powered electric car team, which has also collaborated with Bridgestone to promote sustainable transportation, these subjects will be the subject of a Q&A session.
