Kinetik and Federation Internationale de l'Automobile will be organizing a race that will feature robot drivers. The French driving federation will be replacing human drivers with robots in the upcoming electric car races for the Formula E.
The brains behind FIA's Formula E and Australian-based investment company Kinetik is aiming to keep drivers safe at all times. Their solution: replacing human drivers with robots and autonomous driving technology.
The FIA has publicized that a new autonomous grand prix will be supporting the Formula E races in the next season. The motorsport is known as a global racing competition for driverless e-cars. Organizers of the said robot races are hoping to capitalize on autonomous driving technology that is now being developed by car and motorcycle manufacturers all over the world.
The Formula E race plans for the robot races are for 10 teams to run two autonomous race cars each. Confusing as it may seem, it looks like a pit crew battle as all the cars on the racing grid might be mechanically identical. On the other hand, Formula E founders believe that the racing series may offer more than just an entertaining display.
Kinetik's Denis Sverdlov believes that in the near future, all vehicles around the world will have AI assistance. In addition, all vehicles will be relying on electricity. With these kind of innovations, not only will it improve road safety but will also help the environment by eliminating carbon emissions.
The Formula E robot race is a festival of innovation and technology that humanity has accomplished in the field of robotics, autonomous navigating vehicles, and vehicles using electricity. The potential for autonomous technology in racing became very huge when Audi showcased an RS7 driverless car earlier this year. It made better lap times than professional race car drivers at the Sonoma Raceway in California, with near-identical precision.
Although the races might opt out human-like decisions when it comes to decision-making on shifting gears and overtaking rivals, there is enough enthusiasm to give the concept a try. Alejandro Agag, Chief Executive of Formula E, is very excited about the robot race as it could be the next big thing in motorsport history.
