ASPIRE has announced the launch of the world’s largest Autonomous Racing League in Abu Dhabi. The announcement first occurred in March 2023, in line with ASPIRE’s vision to push the boundaries of autonomous mobility. The league will depict this initiative of Abu Dhabi’s plan to become a global hub for autonomous vehicle research and development. It is all set to commence in the Q2 of 2024.
Here are the ABU Dhabi Autonomous Racing League’s details and key features. Let’s go through them.
THE IDEA BEHIND THE LEAGUE
ASPIRE aims to build an exceptional research and development centre (R&D) in Abu Dhabi. To add to this vision, the Advanced Technology Research Council of Abu Dhabi has announced a global competition for autonomous vehicles.
The Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) will take place at the renowned Yas Marina Circuit. The main objective of the event is to expand the use of artificial intelligence in self-driving cars.
Moreover, A2RL is committed to promoting sustainable practices within the automotive industry. By fostering innovative and low-risk solutions, the league aims to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions. It also aims to enhance safety and performance standards in both motorsports and commercial transportation.
The Abu Dhabi Autonomous Car Race 2024 will exhibit several high-profile autonomous races. These will also include dune buggies, drones, off-roading races and Dallara-built Super Formula Cars. Besides, the use of Super Formula Cars is enabled by Japan Race Promotion, Inc. (JRP).
FIRST AUTONOMOUS CAR RACE: WHAT IT WILL ACCOMPLISH?
The automotive industry has witnessed a rise in autonomous vehicles in recent years. Likewise, autonomous racing has also gained ground across the globe. These vehicles are equipped with advanced features such as LiDAR technology and control systems that offer a safe ride.
Autonomous car racing is an innovative field that encompasses the latest technologies. The advancements are then incorporated into high-performance cars. The vehicles are fitted into the competitive racing category, free from any human intervention.
Besides, apart from being a new type of car racing, autonomous racing has paved the way for new research. The use of artificial intelligence in cars, combined with new algorithms, enables cars to perceive their surroundings and manoeuvre accordingly.
The challenges in the Abu Dhabi autonomous racing league will focus on certain goals. These goals circle the safety and improved handling of autonomous cars in emergencies and unlock their full racing potential. Attracting top-tier teams from across the world, it offers an international stage to showcase the latest innovation in autonomous technology.
Now that we know the core goal and features of the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League, let’s go through its timeline and prize details.
TIMELINE
The Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League dates and timeline are laid out as follows:
- 16th March 2023: League Announcement and first event
- 28th April 2023: Registrations are open. Teams show their interest.
- 31st May 2023: Submission of White paper
- 30th June 2023: Competing teams are announced for the race
- 1st July 2023: Beginning of stimulation phase
- 15th October 2023: Due date of stimulation submissions
- 15th November 2023: Qualifying of teams
- 15th December 2023: Commencement of training time for solo sessions
- 15th February 2024: Commencement of training time for multi-vehicle sessions
- 15th to 21st April 2024: Dry Run week
- 22nd to 28th April 2024: Race Week
RACE PRIZE
The iconic Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, will host the inaugural autonomous car race. It will be the first event in the series of autonomous car racing. The event will also feature Dallara-built SF23 Super Formula cars, known for their speed and autonomy. The race will have a prize pool cap of up to USD 2.25 million and is open to teams from universities, research institutes, and the public and private sectors.
The prize money for the participants will be:
- USD 1.5 million for 1st position
- USD 500K for 2nd position
- USD 250K for 3rd position
CAR SPECS
The autonomous racing league will be among the biggest events and activities in Yas Marina Circuit. The event has Dallara, Japan Race Promotion and Yas Marina Circuit as its leading partners. Core members of JRP will also partake in the race and share their expertise.
Besides, the league will use the Dallara-built SPF-23 race car, which is the fastest outside Formula One race cars. It has a top speed of 310 km/hr, advanced braking capabilities and a drive-by-wire system. Moreover, it is manufactured from bio-composite and is based on a turnkey autonomous stack.
RULES
The rule book and judges panel for the event are not yet announced.
SPECTATORS EXPERIENCE
The racing league will provide a new experience to the spectators as well. The race viewers will get to experience an exciting new form of entertainment. They’ll witness exciting head-to-head races between self-driving cars through virtual reality (VR) technology and real-time displays shown on the screen.
This concludes the details on the ASPIRE Autonomous Racing League in Abu Dhabi. The event is a leap forward in autonomous technology, adding to Abu Dhabi’s resolute dedication to becoming a global leader in this field.
On the other hand, if you are a car enthusiast, browse through these used cars for sale in the UAE. The plethora of listings offers several models by famous brands that you can add to your car collection.
Stay tuned to dubizzle’s autos blog for news on car racing and leagues across the country.
Related Posts
