Autonomous Race

[Rickertsen2]

How cool would it be to have an autonomous race car competition? This would be different than the grand challenge. I am talking about an auto cross style race that could take place in say a large parking lot. The track would be sensor friendly. Perhaps some sort of detailed track map could be provided immediately before the start of the race. Some sort of precise positioning system could be provided.

The first few seasons it would probably just be a competition to finish. Eventually it would become as much about algorithms as traditional race car engineering problems such as suspension and engine. It would be a complete constructor's challenge through and through. Unlike IGVC or the Grand Challenge, the emphasis would be on racing rather than obstacle navigation. I'm thinking something along the lines of an autonomous version of Formula SAE.

There would be of source safety concerns, but these could be dealt with through rigid E-stop, stopping distance constraints and track design.

[Pavan Dave]

Since I used to watch Nascar for the crashes [I stopped watching because it got boring after 50 laps and no crashes], I can tell you that it would happen a lot without driver control so I would actually watch it. IT would be entertainment and as long as they showed us what was in the driver's seat it would be educational too

[Athleticgirl389]

I agree it would make for good... more interesting racing. However, racing is more about the driver's control. Autonomous mode won't be able to see all the crashes going on, the change in the tracks, the weather changes, ect. As in NASCAR as Pavan said, they do crash (sometimes more times than others haha) and it would be more dangerous to put the drivers in that position... BUT if you were to take the drivers out of the equation and make a FULLY auto. race, that could turn pretty interesting... hard, but rather interesting

[DanDon]

Now that is something I would love, not only to participate in but also to watch. It would combine my favorite parts of the FIRST Robotics competition, and the Formula SAE competition. And we could have the national competition in a city and during a weekend of a NASCAR race, allow the NASCAR fans a chance to see something new and allow the Autonomous Race competitors a chance to cool down and interact with the NASCAR community.

[Athleticgirl389]

Originally Posted by dhoizner

Now that is something I would love, not only to participate in but also to watch. It would combine my favorite parts of the FIRST Robotics competition, and the Formula SAE competition. And we could have the national competition in a city and during a weekend of a NASCAR race, allow the NASCAR fans a chance to see something new and allow the Autonomous Race competitors a chance to cool down and interact with the NASCAR community.

I wonder who told you that idea of having NASCAR's Hotlanta race weekend the same as the Championship event Whoever it was must be really smart... and love NASCAR and FIRST

[Tottanka]

I know that there are such races, but on highways.
I believe it was shown during the championship by Dean...

[Dolan]

That would be cool

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Tottanka

I know that there are such races, but on highways.
I believe it was shown during the championship by Dean...

The Grand Challenge (city version). This would be more of a Formula 1 event than a "go to this place in this time" challenge.

[lynca]

Originally Posted by Rickertsen2

The first few seasons it would probably just be a competition to finish. Eventually it would become as much about algorithms as traditional race car engineering problems such as suspension and engine. It would be a complete constructor's challenge through and through. Unlike IGVC or the Grand Challenge, the emphasis would be on racing rather than obstacle navigation. I'm thinking something along the lines of an autonomous version of Formula SAE.

IGVC is definitely a start in the right direction. In theory you could put most of the robots in the competition on a paved track with white boundary lines and no obstacles (except for the other robots) The setup would basically meet your autonomous SAE competition. In the future, I see more regional IGVC-style competitions where college students can build low cost autonomous outdoor robots.