An empty Maserati MC20 driven by an AI system recently set a new speed record for an autonomous vehicle, reaching a blistering 197.7 mph (318 kph) at Space Florida’s Launch and Landing Facility at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Footage of the achievement (above) shows the self-driving Maserati MC20 hurtling down the runway once used for Space Shuttle landings, with the speedometer gradually ticking all the way up to the record-breaking speed.
The feat — the result of a partnership between the Indy Autonomous Challenge, science-tech university Politecnico di Milano, Maserati, and the 1000 Miglia Experience Florida — surpassed the previous record of 192.8 mph (310.3 kph) set at the Indy Autonomous Challenge in 2022.
The Maserati used for the drive is equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 621 horsepower, and was modified to run autonomously using AI driver software developed by the PoliMOVE-MSU team, which is part of the performance division of AIDA (Artificial Intelligence Driving Autonomous of Politecnico di Milano).
“These world speed records are much more than just a showcase of future technology,” Paul Mitchell, the CEO of Indy Autonomous Challenge and Aidoptation BV, said afterwards. “We’re pushing AI-driver software and robotics hardware to the absolute edge. Doing so with a street car is helping transition the learnings of autonomous racing to enable safe, secure, sustainable, high-speed autonomous mobility on highways.”
While the Maserati didn’t need to make any turns, stop for lights, or swerve around elderly pedestrians during its high-speed drive, any slight deviation at that speed would need to have been corrected immediately to avoid a catastrophic outcome, proving that the AI was clearly doing its job.
While it’s fun to imagine a future of high-speed commuting in a car like this — perhaps while enjoying a relaxing game of Wordle — there are currently few roads long enough and straight enough to safely accommodate such speed, even if an advanced AI system was doing all the work. You can certainly forget hitting those kind of speeds along Pakistan’s terrifying Fairy Meadows Road.
OpenAI chief Sam Altman has said that Meta tried to tempt his top AI researchers to switch sides by offering hiring bonuses of $100 million. Yes, you
What’s happened? Geoffrey Hinton, known as the “godfather of AI,” told the Ai4 conference that making AI “submissive” is a losing strategy and propose
There’s a running joke in the streaming world. By the time you decide what to watch, the snacks are over, or the mood is gone. Netflix even launched a
In a Windows Insider blog post, Microsoft announced an AI upgrade to Windows Search to make finding photos, documents, and settings easier. However, t
OpenAI’s flagship service ChatGPT remains as popular as ever, with the brand having hit a 500 million active user milestone in recent days amid the St
Apple’s progress with bringing AI to its hardware hasn’t exactly hit the same notes as the progress it has made with computing and wearable endeavors.
I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of the term AI. When every company in the industry is using the term, it loses its meaning, and I’m tired of mor
What if you tell an AI chatbot to search the web, look up a certain kind of source, and then create a detailed report based on all the information it
We are a comprehensive and trusted information platform dedicated to delivering high-quality content across a wide range of topics, including society, technology, business, health, culture, and entertainment.
From breaking news to in-depth reports, we adhere to the principles of accuracy and diverse perspectives, helping readers find clarity and reliability in today’s fast-paced information landscape.
Our goal is to be a dependable source of knowledge for every reader—making information not only accessible but truly trustworthy. Looking ahead, we will continue to enhance our content and services, connecting the world and delivering value.
