VIDEO: Driverless robo racing edges closer to reality
High speed test on Berlin Formula E circuit claimed to demonstrate huge advances in development of autonomous electric race carRoborace has released a new video of its self-driving race car completing a high-speed lap of the Berlin Formula E race circuit just three months after one of its 'DevBot' prototype racers crashed out during testing at the Buenos Aires ePrix.
Featuring all-new updated software, the DevBot raced in Germany is thought to be nearly identical to earlier prototypes.
As part of the test the Roborace car completed a lap in 'Explore mode' where the DevBot was piloted by a professional racer. In this setting, the car uses its on-board Lidar system and cameras to 'learn' the circuit and fastest racing line around it.
Once completed the data was downloaded to the car's computer and the autonomous laps began. Starting slowly, the first two laps were completed at a maximum 100km/h. Once satisfied, engineers allowed the Roborace car to complete two sets of four laps at a 150km/h before removing the artificial limit and allowing the pure-electric race car to run to more than 200km/h.
It was that lap, engineers claim, the Roborace car came within 8 per cent of matching the timed lap set by race car driver earlier in the day.
The successful Berlin tests follows on from the embarrassment in Argentina when one of two DevBots, that were lapping at 185km/h, crashed into the tyre wall tearing off its front wheel.
Powered by the same pure-electric powertrain as the FIA Formula E race cars in the future, the organisers of a Roborace series say, that to win races teams will have rely on programmable artificial intelligence and tactics to be victorious.
Originally, the organisers announced a Roborace season that would consist of at least 10 driverless race cars would take place during the 2017 Formula E race season, although it's thought the team of engineers behind the autonomous motorsport programme have now dialled back those plans.
The crash in Argentina vid
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