Maserati Breaks Autonomous World Speed Record With AI Driver
Eagle-eyed spectators at the Kennedy Space Centre’s 2.8 mile runway may have noticed something unusual about the modified Maserati MC20 Coupe thundering past them. If they were quick enough.
The car, nearly topping 200 mph, was empty.
Instead of a human at the wheel, this particular test run was in the capable hands of an advanced AI ‘driver’ developed by a team of engineers from Italy’s largest scientific technological university, Politecnico Milano.
Driving as part of the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC), which is dedicated to advancing autonomous technologies through high-speed racing, the AI-powered Maserati set a new autonomous speed record of 197.7 mph (318km/h).
“These world speed records are much more than just a showcase of future technology; we are pushing AI-driver software and robotics hardware to the absolute edge,” says Paul Mitchell, CEO of IAC.
“Doing so with a streetcar is helping transition the learnings of autonomous racing to enable safe, secure, sustainable, high-speed autonomous mobility on highways.”
AI-powered speed record
The record, the result of collaboration between IAC, Politecnico Milano, Maserati and 1000 Miglia Experience Florida, took place at the Space Florida Launch and Landing Facility.
The site has one of the world’s longest runways at 2.8 miles and is a modern-day hub for innovation, research and testing.
Development of the AI driver software was completed by the PoliMOVE-MSU team - part of the performance division of AIDA (Artificial Intelligence Driving Autonomous of Politecnico di Milano).
The university conducts research in areas including autonomous systems, mobility and AI, with AIDA focusing on developing a reliable, highly effective autonomous driving model capable of operating on public roads in real-world conditions.
In this instance, part of AIDA’s Performance scope of work, AI software was installed in an IAC Maserati MC20 Coupe that had been modified to run autonomously.
The new speed of 19.7.7 mph surpasses the previously held absolute record for an autonomous car of 192.8 mph (310.2km/h) set by an IAC AV-321 racecar in 2022.
Racing for real world application
The achievement represents a significant leap forward in high-speed autonomous driving development and demonstrates how learnings from racing can transfer to road cars.
The team of engineers from Politecnico di Milano analysed the behaviour of the vehicle under extreme conditions to better understand the robustness and reliability of the algorithms developed for autonomous driving.
“These AI systems have been tested in production vehicles at legal road speeds in the Indy Autonomous Challenge races since 2021. The AIDA team used this test to push the boundaries of autonomous driving, improving safety and reliability,” explains Scientific Director of the project and Director of the Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering at the Politecnico di Milano, Prof. Sergio Matteo Savaresi.
“Conducted in controlled environments without a human driver, the test assesses the AI's stability, robustness and reaction time, ultimately enhancing safety for low-speed urban mobility situations.”
Following the speed test, another Maserati MC20 Cielo convertible from Politecnico di Milano took part in the 1000 Miglia Experience Florida, part of the historic 1000 Miglia race format.
“The synergy between the 1000 Miglia Experience Florida and the groundbreaking autonomous driving technologies developed by the Politecnico di Milano represents an extraordinary step forward in the future of mobility,” says Massimo Cicatiello, President of EGA USA, which organises the 1000 Miglia Experience Florida.
“Seeing a Maserati MC20—an icon of Italian design and performance—pushing the limits with artificial intelligence is proof that tradition and future can coexist.”
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