The Impact of Driverless Car Racing on Advancing Autonomous Technology

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The excitement surrounding autonomous vehicles has often exceeded what is actually happening. Predictions have been made for years about driverless cars, which would enable commuters to relax or enjoy entertainment during their daily commute.

Many experts are lowering their expectations, predicting that widespread use of autonomous technology may not happen in the next ten years. This analysis was shared by S&P Global Mobility in late 2023, offering insights into the automotive industry.

However, Lakmal Seneviratne, the founding director of the Khalifa University Center for Autonomous Robotic Systems (KUCARS) in Abu Dhabi, remains optimistic about the future of autonomous mobility.

He has been involved in robotics since the 1980s and is amazed at the rapid progress of autonomous technology. At KUCARS, researchers are focusing on various projects, such as autonomous cars, drones, marine robotics, agricultural robotics, and manufacturing robotics.

Recently, Khalifa University took part in the first Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League event, known as A2RL. This competition brought together technologists from around the globe to compete in a series of challenges.

There have been previous autonomous car races, but A2RL's race was the first to feature a competition between four driverless cars, as reported by organizers.

Seneviratne expressed his amazement at the event, stating, "If you had asked me 10 or 15 years ago if I would witness an autonomous car race, I would have said it's impossible in my lifetime. It's incredible to witness the advancement of technology in this field."

At one point during the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League event, a driverless car took to the track at the same time as former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat.

At one point during the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League event, a driverless car took to the track at the same time as former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat.

Amr Alfiky/Reuters

‘Real world robotics is very, very hard’

Khalifa University, in partnership with the Beijing Institute of Technology, formed team Fly Eagle. Unfortunately, they were unable to race in the final as their car crashed a few days before the race and they were unable to fix it in time.

The four teams that did compete at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit faced challenges as well. In November, Max Verstappen of Formula One ended a record-breaking season with a win at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The car from Technical University of Munich (TUM) came to a stop on the track before starting up again. Team Polimove's vehicle spun around as its tires locked up. Another car also stopped, leaving only TUM in motion. However, TUM's car eventually stopped too. Three cars managed to restart, but towards the end of the race, the leader suddenly stopped, allowing TUM to pass and claim victory.

Seneviratne wasn't surprised by the challenges faced during the race. He mentioned that some of the obstacles were beyond the capabilities of current technology. "Real world robotics is extremely challenging," he explained. "But it was beneficial to push the robotics community forward."

Team Polimove competes during the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League.

Team Polimove competes during the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League.

Simon Hoffman, TUM’s team principal, mentioned to CNN that previous autonomous races typically involved only two cars on the track at a time. In contrast, races with multiple vehicles were usually on oval tracks. However, the Yas Marina Circuit offers a different challenge with its tight turns, chicanes, and hairpins. This track, located on Yas Island, combines elements of both a permanent fixture and a street circuit.

Hoffman added that he believes road courses present a greater challenge due to sharper turns, the need to brake into turns, and higher delta speeds between cars. This makes it more difficult for drivers.

Pushing the technology to the edge.

Efforts to unleash driverless cars on public roads have encountered obstacles, particularly due to accidents with unexpected obstacles. For instance, in 2018, a self-driving Uber SUV fatally struck a woman who was walking her bicycle across a street outside of a crosswalk. This tragic incident occurred because the vehicle failed to detect a pedestrian jaywalking.

Khalifa University partnered with the Beijing Institute of Technology to form team Fly Eagle.

Khalifa University partnered with the Beijing Institute of Technology to form team Fly Eagle.

Khalifa University of Science and Technology

Before driverless vehicles can be widely adopted, it is important to be able to handle challenging situations known as "edge cases." These are scenarios that push technology to its limits, often due to unexpected and unlikely events.

Some people believe that projects like AR2L, which test technology to its maximum capacity, could be beneficial for training driverless cars. Observers, organizers, and participants see these endeavors as valuable opportunities to prepare for the use of autonomous vehicles.

Seneviratne asks, "How do you interact with your other cars? How do you pass them at high speeds, in challenging situations?"

Hoffman agrees with the importance of this, stating, "By creating reliable software that functions effectively in these scenarios, such as driving at high speeds alongside other cars, we can enhance the robustness and reliability of autonomous driving software, ultimately making it safer for everyone."

Editor's P/S:

Paragraph 1: The article provides a realistic perspective on the advancements and challenges of autonomous vehicle technology. While early predictions were overly optimistic, experts now acknowledge that widespread use may take longer than anticipated. Nonetheless, researchers like Lakmal Seneviratne remain optimistic, pointing to rapid progress in robotics and the potential benefits of projects like the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL).

Paragraph 2: The A2RL showcased the limitations of current autonomous technology, as all four driverless cars encountered challenges on the Yas Marina Circuit. However, Seneviratne views these setbacks as valuable experiences that push the boundaries of robotics. Furthermore, the article highlights the importance of addressing "edge cases" and unexpected situations before autonomous vehicles can be widely adopted. Projects like A2RL provide a platform for testing and refining technology to ensure it can handle real-world scenarios effectively and safely.