Self-driving cars might not be welcome yet on streets, but they are now bound for the racing circuit.
Formula E and Kinetik recently teamed up to launch a racing championship for autonomous cars, called ROBORACE.
Alejando Agag, Formula E CEO, said, “We’re excited to be partnering with Kinetik on what is surely one of the most cutting-edge sporting events in history.”
Ten teams will have identical electric cars — two per team — to enhance using their own artificial intelligence and algorithms. The hour-long races will take place right before Formula E races, as a support series, starting in the 2016-17 season.
But it’s not all just fun and games. These races will test out the budding technology in extreme conditions, yielding faster feedback and hopefully faster advancements.
As Formula E’s route takes place in closed-off city streets, the self-driving cars will be encountering real-life terrain and must safely — and speedily — navigate around the other cars.
The organizers are expecting many universities and top automotive tech companies to get involved, but they’ve also saved a spot for a crowdsourced community team to compete alongside the professionals. Teams will be announced early next year.
“ROBORACE is a celebration of revolutionary technology and innovation that humanity has achieved in that area so far,” said Kinetik founder Denis Sverdlov. “It’s a global platform to show the advantages of their driverless solutions and this shall push the development of the technology.”
Do you think competition will advance the tech of autonomous cars more quickly? Comment below or tweet @MNetKatie.