Last weekend saw the first official autonomous formula race in Abu Dhabi. It also means what it sounds like, because these formulas are not driven by the pilots sitting in them, but by sensors and a GPS positioning system.
The idea for such a competition and the project arose at the beginning of 2023, and finally at the end of April the first competition took place. The race took place at the Formula 1 circuit in Abu Dhabi and featured four formulas. It must be said that the competition was chaotic enough, but it started and ended successfully.
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Already starting to prepare for the official competition and making practice runs, the formulas made unwarranted undulations on the track, turned and also crashed into the wall, causing visible damage. However, it was possible to start the official competition, which was supposed to be eight laps.
The race itself was also not without challenges, as the leading formula turned around on the fourth lap, and the one behind was able to overtake it safely. However, immediately after that, the yellow flags were thrown on the track, which prevents the car in front from being overtaken, and this confused the formulas on the track. After about an hour from the start of the race, it was possible to complete eight laps and determine the winner.
In any case, this kind of competition is still in its infancy, but it is a good platform to show the possibilities of engineering, as well as to get people interested in the technical field and to develop the autonomous driving and driving industry in general.
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