How virtual races are possible in the cloud

Indy Autonomous Challenge How virtual races are possible in the cloud

2024-09-16 Source: D-Space | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

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When the world's fastest autonomous race cars line up at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on September 6, the university teams will begin a new chapter in the further development of their vehicle controllers: on virtual racetracks, they can continue to develop their AI drivers and enhance performance and safety.

With D-Space's Cloud Racing Services, teams can not only race on physical tracks but also arrange virtual races, competing against each other with different setups or sending multiple virtual vehicles with various setups onto the virtual test track.(Image: D-Space) — With D-Space's Cloud Racing Services, teams can not only race on physical tracks but also arrange virtual races, competing against each other with different setups or sending multiple virtual vehicles with various setups onto the virtual test track.
(Image: D-Space)

D-Space, a provider of simulation and validation solutions, expanded its partnership with the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC) at the beginning of the year and has since been supporting the university racing teams not only with onboard computers but also with simulation software, training, and support. As the Software-in-the-Loop technology sponsor of the IAC, D-Space provides the teams with the simulation solution Simphera—a framework that includes simulation models, test automation, test analysis, and a simulation platform, and can integrate additional components such as HIL simulators.

With the expanded functionality, the teams are able to extensively and quickly test their AI-Driver software in the cloud.

Raimund Sprick, Senior Manager Automated Driving and Software Solutions, D-Space

Green light for virtual races

In preparation for the race, D-Space set up and provided for desktop use the simulation solution, which offers a digital twin of the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC) race cars and models of the Indianapolis racetrack.

Just in time for the race in Indianapolis, D-Space now gives the green light for the next level of simulation: With the Cloud Racing Services, teams can arrange virtual races alongside the physical races on the tracks, competing against each other with different setups or sending multiple own virtual vehicles with different setups onto the virtual test track.

Onboard computers enable real-time controls

D-Space has been the exclusive On-Vehicle Computer Technology Sponsor for two years, providing the onboard computers for the IAC. Each IAC race car is equipped with the D-Space Autera Auto-Box. This robust and powerful central computer reads data from LiDAR and radar sensors, cameras, as well as from buses and networks in the vehicle, processes them, and delivers real-time controls and commands for the fully autonomous race cars.

By integrating D-Space's Simphera Software-in-the-Loop solutions, our teams can now utilize virtual environments to refine and validate their AI algorithms with remarkable accuracy and speed. This initiative not only accelerates the iterative testing cycle but also enhances knowledge transfer between simulated environments and practical applications, ensuring that the teams achieve peak performance with safe and efficient autonomous systems.

Paul Mitchell, Chairman and President at IAC

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