Written by Kanzah Maktoum, Edited by Ishani Aziz
The Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi is widely popular for hosting the season finale of the Formula 1 season. But from 2024 onward, the track is to host an Autonomous Racing League: a self-driving car league with Super Formula Cars that drive completely pilot-less. It aims to provide an immersive experience where viewers can also follow along with augmented reality and virtual reality updates.
The competition has been created by ASPIRE, a Research and Development Funding Organization in the UAE. It includes a prize fund of $2.25 million, looking to push the boundaries of autonomous mobility and seeking to advance research and development in artificial intelligence, while also improving safety and fuel efficiency.
The league is set to begin in the second quarter of 2024 and will use Super Formula Cars produced by Dallara and supported by the Japanese Racing Promotion (JRP), which are usually used in the Japanese Super Formula Championship. The vehicles are arguably the closest to Formula 1 cars and are very high in performance with top speeds reaching 310 kph (192 mph).
The use of virtual reality and augmented reality technology will enable spectators to experience head-to-head racing firsthand, with live updates and real-time displays displayed on the screen. Although autonomous racing leagues are still in their early stages, they are beginning to appear all over the world, with the league hoping to offer a fresh method of watching racing.