The Goodwood Festival of Speed, renowned for its celebration of motorsport and automotive innovation, is set to host the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC) presented by Bridgestone from July 11th to July 14th, 2024. This year, the event promises to be even more exhilarating as the world’s fastest autonomous racecar, the AV-24, will take on the iconic hillclimb, demonstrating cutting-edge technology in high-speed autonomy.
The AV-24: A Marvel of Engineering
The AV-24, a fully autonomous racecar developed by the IAC, boasts a Dallara chassis used in the Indy NXT series and is equipped with state-of-the-art robotics. The car will be piloted by the PoliMOVE-MSU team, with support from the UNIMORE Racing team, showcasing the collaborative efforts of top universities and leading technology providers in autonomous driving.
Achievements and Records
Since its inception in 2021, the IAC has set multiple world records in autonomous racing:
- Autonomous land speed record: 192.2 mph
- Highest on-track speed: 180 mph
- Fastest head-to-head overtake on-track: 177 mph
- Most miles of autonomous racing accumulated: 9,000 miles
These accomplishments highlight the advancements in autonomous vehicle technology and the potential for these innovations to revolutionize the automotive industry.
Goodwood Hillclimb: A New Challenge
The Goodwood Hillclimb presents a unique challenge for the AV-24, differing significantly from the ovals and road courses of previous IAC events. Paul Mitchell, Chairman and President of the Indy Autonomous Challenge, emphasized the importance of this event: “We are eager to undertake the unique challenges presented by the Goodwood Hillclimb. Unlike the familiar ovals and F1 road courses, Goodwood’s Hillclimb will challenge the precision of sensor perception, GPS localization, vehicle dynamics, and path planning in new ways.”
Educational and Technological Showcase
The IAC’s participation at the Goodwood Festival of Speed is not just about racing. It’s part of Goodwood’s FOS TECH program, which highlights the latest in automotive technology and alternative fuels. The event will feature educational sessions on future technologies such as autonomous vehicles, drones, robots, augmented and virtual reality, generative AI, sensor fusion, and the Internet of Things. Durham University’s solar-powered electric car team will also collaborate in a Q&A session, focusing on sustainable mobility.
Bridging the Gap Between Innovation and Tradition
The Duke of Richmond, founder of the Festival of Speed, commented on the festival’s role in showcasing technological innovation: “This year, our new FOS TECH ethos will bring together our future technology and mobility content. Whether exploring Future Lab presented by Randox, Electric Avenue, or enjoying content on the Hill, visitors to the Festival of Speed can experience the work of groundbreaking innovators and their vision for tomorrow’s world”.
Bridgestone’s Commitment to Future Mobility
Sara Correa, Chief Marketing Officer for Bridgestone in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), expressed Bridgestone’s commitment to advancing autonomous technologies: “What really matters is working together to collaboratively develop and advance the future of mobility. Bridgestone is proud to partner with the IAC and its young engineers to test and improve autonomous technologies through opportunities like the Goodwood Hillclimb. Motorsports are the ultimate challenge, and the learnings we gather here can be applied to the sustainable solutions we develop for society and our customers.”
PoliMOVE-MSU: The Team Behind the Technology
The PoliMOVE-MSU team, composed of members from Politecnico di Milano (Italy) and Michigan State University (Michigan), with support from UNIMORE Racing – University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy), will pilot the AV-24. Their expertise and innovative software will be put to the test on the challenging Goodwood hill.
Conclusion: A Glimpse into the Future
The Indy Autonomous Challenge at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024 is set to be a thrilling showcase of technological prowess and innovative spirit. As the AV-24 takes on the hillclimb, it not only represents the pinnacle of autonomous racing technology but also offers a glimpse into the future of mobility, where AI drivers could revolutionize vehicle safety and efficiency on public roads and within supply chains.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights from the Goodwood Festival of Speed as we witness history in the making with the Indy Autonomous Challenge.
