Indy Autonomous Challenge Readies for Next Self-Driving Race at CES 2022

IAC has named Technology Innovation Institute as a premier sponsor and selects Halo powered by T-Mobile 5G as pace car.

TII


Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute is set to participate as Team TII EuroRacing in the upcoming Autonomous Challenge @ CES 2022.
UAE and European teams to help kick off Indy Autonomous Challenge's head-to-head self-driving car race at CES 2022 in Las Vegas this week.

Energy Systems Network, the organizer of the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC), last week announced that the Technology Innovation Institute will serve as a premier sponsor of the Autonomous Challenge @ CES. It has also selected Halo powered by T-Mobile 5G as the official pace car. The IAC said it will make history at the Consumer Electronics Show with the first high-speed, head-to-head autonomous racecar competition at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022.

“The Indy Autonomous Challenge is working to advance tech that will speed the commercialization of fully autonomous vehicles and deployments of advanced driver-assistance systems,” said Paul Mitchell, president and CEO of Indianapolis-based Energy Systems Network (ESN). “We are proud to partner with these sponsors as they work with us to push limits for the entire autonomous community, helping to increase safety and performance in not only motorsports, but across all modes of commercial transportation.”

The IAC previously ran an event powered by Cisco at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in October 2021. TUM Autonomous Motorsport from the Technical University of Munich, won the $1 million grand prize.

TII and Halo support self-driving car race

The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) joins sensor provider Luminar as a premier sponsor of the challenge. TII is the dedicated applied research pillar of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), a global research and development center that focuses on building next-generation technologies and an innovation ecosystem in Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates.

“TII is delighted to join forces with CES 2022 and bring back exciting, in-person events,” Dr. Ray O. Johnson, CEO of TII, said today. “We are making history as a key participant in this emerging autonomous racing field following the significant results that we achieved at the Indy Autonomous Challenge in October.”

“Through fast-tracking innovation for future autonomous vehicles and robotic real-world applications, we hope to boost awareness for safety and sustainability in this challenging sport,” he added. “Since this is the first overtaking race in the field, we will look forward to bringing home the top honors on race day.”

TII is also providing its expertise in automation and robotics as partner in TII EuroRacing, one of the teams competing in the Autonomous Challenge @ CES. That team includes autonomous experts from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in Italy. It said its member have experience in designing, maintaining, and developing both software and hardware to operate autonomous racing vehicles of all specifications.

In October, Team EuroRacing made it to the finals in a world record of 139 mph (223 kph) for the fastest average lap speed. TII's Autonomous Robotics Research Center (ARRC) said it will work for the next three years on the development of autonomous racecars, autonomous systems, and drones.

“We are gaining considerable insights through championing and participating in prestigious autonomous racing events such as the Autonomous Challenge @CES and previously in the Indy Autonomous Challenge,” stated Dr. Najwa Aaraj, chief researcher at TII's Cryptography Research Center and acting chief researcher at ARRC.

“The fluid, complex environment of the world’s fastest racetracks serves as the most advanced and extreme testbeds for robotics and autonomous vehicles,” she said. “They will help accelerate our rate of innovation as we develop and prototype some of the most advanced algorithms and systems for autonomous vehicle software.”

Halo, a remote-piloted driverless car service operating on T-Mobile's 5G network in Las Vegas, will serve as the official pace car. Halo and T-Mobile are also providing a ride-hailing service using 5G and driverless vehicles.

The competitors at CES will include nine teams from eight countries, representing 19 universities. Halo will lead each set of IAC teams off of pit lane and complete a warmup lap at speeds of 65 to 80 mph (104.6 to 128.7 kph) before the start of each round.

Autonomous challenge posts schedule

The Autonomous Challenge @ CES competition is scheduled to begin at 12:00 p.m. PT on Jan. 7 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS). Only CES 2022 credentialed attendees and media are permitted to attend in-person. Other CES attendees can watch the live stream at http://www.indyautonomouschallenge.com and on Twitch @IndyAChallenge. 

The IAC will have a major presence at CES 2022 this week, including the following events:

  • Jan. 3 (5-8:30 pm): CES Unveiled, Las Vegas, Mandalay Bay, Shorelines Exhibit Hall - IAC Dallara AV-21, the most advanced autonomous racecar, will be on display.
  • Jan. 4 (4-4:30 pm): CES Press Conference, Mandalay Bay, Palm A - Hear how race teams and the Dallara AV-21 are helping to speed the commercialization of fully autonomous vehicles. RSVP to [email protected]
  • Jan. 5-8 (CES show hours): Indy Autonomous Challenge/IEDC Booth, Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), West Hall, #5029 – The Dallara AV-21 will be showcased.
  • Jan. 6 (11-11:40 am): “Accelerating AV Talent & Commercialization” conference panel, LVCC, West Hall, Rooms 216-218 - Hear from a coalition of thought leaders working to advance autonomous transportation.
  • Jan. 7 (12-4 pm): Autonomous Challenge @ CES, Las Vegas Motor Speedway; transportation will be provided to and from the competition between the LVCC and the LVMS. Only credentialed CES attendees and media are permitted to attend.
  • 10:30 am-11:30 am – Media pit tours and team interviews available
  • 12-12:45 pm – Preshow amd precompetition ceremony
  • 12:45-3:30 pm – Autonomous Challenge @ CES competition
  • 3:30-4 pm – Post-competition winners ceremony
The IAC teams made history on October 23 at IMS and now they prepare for another history making competition at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway with the Autonomous Challenge @ CES on Jan. 7, 2022.

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TII

Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute is set to participate as Team TII EuroRacing in the upcoming Autonomous Challenge @ CES 2022.


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