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BridgestoneOn a bustling Sunday afternoon, the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC) AV-24 racecar, driven by an AI developed by Team PoliMOVE-MSU (Politecnico di Milano and Michigan State University), set a new record for the fastest autonomous Hillclimb at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. This achievement was witnessed by a global audience of motorsport enthusiasts.
The AV-24 completed three runs during the iconic festival, with the record-breaking run occurring on their final ascent. The racecar achieved a top speed of 111.2 mph (179 kph) and finished with a time of 66.37 seconds. The previous record, held by Roborace since 2019, was 66.96 seconds with a top speed of 101.16 mph (162.8 kph).
Goodwood's Hillclimb is notorious for its narrow, unforgiving course, lined with hay bales and limited run-off space. Successfully navigating this course required precise control of grip and slippage from the AV-24’s Bridgestone racing tyres, alongside meticulous mapping and localisation in a GPS-limited environment. The AV-24 relied heavily on its Luminar Iris lidars for this precision.
The IAC and PoliMOVE-MSU teams collaborated extensively with Bridgestone’s tyre engineers to optimise the racecar's performance. This included visits to Bridgestone’s European Technical Center and Proving Grounds in Rome, where they explored tyre production and tested tyre performance on track.
“For three years, the IAC has been pushing the boundaries of high-speed autonomy and setting new records. The Goodwood Hillclimb, with its historic backdrop and large crowds, has now highlighted the potential of self-driving vehicles to be safely deployed on future roads.”
“This challenge marks a significant milestone for autonomous mobility. This weekend, we overcame the complexities of a challenging track and variable weather. Thanks to our engineering team and the superior performance of Bridgestone’s racing tyres, we made history, demonstrating that safe, high-speed vehicular autonomy is possible even in adverse conditions. Our success at the Goodwood Festival of Speed will inspire confidence in future autonomous driving applications.”
“Bridgestone is proud to support the PoliMOVE-MSU team in this remarkable achievement at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024. We are dedicated to partnering with the IAC and its talented student engineers to continue advancing autonomous technologies through record-setting events like this. Motorsports are integral to Bridgestone’s identity, and we are committed to applying the insights gained from these experiences to develop sustainable mobility solutions for society and our customers.”
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Visuals and footage of the IAC’s Autonomous Hillclimb can be found here:
Indy Autonomous Challenge team shot
The Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC) is a non-profit organisation based in Indianapolis, Indiana (USA), which hosts racing competitions among university-affiliated teams. Teams program AI drivers to pilot fully autonomous racecars and compete in a series of history-making events at iconic tracks. The IAC aims to establish a hub for performance automation and attract top talent from around the globe to advance the safety and performance of autonomous vehicles.
Bridgestone is a global leader in tyres and rubber, building on its expertise to provide solutions for safe and sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Tokyo, the company employs approximately 130,000 people globally, conducting business in more than 150 countries and territories worldwide. Bridgestone offers a diverse product portfolio of premium tyres and advanced solutions backed by innovative technologies, improving the way people around the world move, live, work, and play.