It is no secret that we are fans of Maserati. Some time ago, we spent some memorable time behind the wheel of a GranTurismo Trofeo, which elevated our respect for the Italian automaker. Doing well to keep themselves in the news, Maserati just recently jumped into the exciting realm of breaking world records, setting a new top speed for autonomously driven cars with its renowned MC20 supercar.
The AI-powered MC20 blasted off at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida
This unbelievable run was made in collaboration with several prominent partners, including the Indy Autonomous Challenge, the Italian university Politecnico di Milano, and the newly established 1000 Miglia Experience Florida. These organizations took the Maserati MC20 to the iconic Space Florida Launch and Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center. Using its top-speed-friendly 2.8-mile-long runway, the MC20 blasted off to a driverless world record of 197.7 mph.
The previous record of 192.8 mph was set by the Indy Autonomous Challenge and PoliMOVE, a team from the performance division of the Artificial Intelligence Driving Autonomous program at Politecnico di Milano. This achievement took place at the same location in April 2022, using the IAC AV-21 racecar.
Paul Mitchell, the CEO of Indy Autonomous Challenge and Aidoptation BV, underscored the significance of this achievement, stating, “These world speed records represent far more than just a demonstration of future technology. We are rigorously pushing AI driver software and robotics hardware to their absolute limits. Using a streetcar like the MC20 allows us to translate the insights gained from autonomous racing into practical solutions, thereby paving the way for safe, secure, and sustainable high-speed autonomous mobility on highways.”
After achieving remarkable results in the autonomous high-speed run, a Maserati MC20 Cielo took part in the 1000 Miglia Experience Florida. Notably, this same MC20 Cielo had participated in the Italian 1000 Miglia event in 2023, where it impressively drove approximately 37 miles in fully autonomous mode, showcasing its advanced capabilities and the potential of autonomous technology in real-world driving scenarios. This combination of events highlights not only the cutting-edge performance of the Maserati but also the ongoing commitment to developing safer and more efficient autonomous driving solutions.
The goal of this top speed run was about more than just going fast
Testing how fast a robot can drive a car might seem like a frivolous use of technology at first glance, but there is a well-thought-out rationale behind this process. High-speed tests help evaluate the performance of autonomous driving systems under extreme conditions, which can provide invaluable data for many future applications.
According to Professor Sergio Matteo Savaresi, the Scientific Director of this ambitious project and the head of the Department of Electronics, Information, and Bioengineering at the Politecnico di Milano:
“The goal of high-speed tests is to evaluate the behavior of robo-drivers in extreme conditions. These AI systems have been tested in production vehicles at legal road speeds in the Indy Autonomous Challenge races since 2021.”
Adding to this sentiment, Professor Savaresi added, “The AIDA team used this test to push the boundaries of autonomous driving, improving safety and reliability. Conducted in controlled environments without a human driver, the test assesses the AI’s stability, robustness, and reaction time, ultimately enhancing safety for low-speed urban mobility situations.”
Is autonomous driving good or bad?
In many cases, we can see the use, and necessity of having an AI-driven car. Replacing distracted commuters feverishly reading more texts than road signs, the grossly affluent crowd who are too busy closing deals to bother with turn signals, or even as a replacement for many awkward and questionable Uber drivers all make perfect sense.
However, for those of us who truly enjoy driving as a visceral experience, this is no fun at all. It’s already bad enough there are only a few cars left with an available manual transmission, but having a robot pilot a 600+ horsepower Italian supercar? No thank you, we’ve got it from here. This is an exciting achievement, but we’re hoping it does not become a trend in the super- and hypercar market any time soon.
