Roborace, which allows AI to run machines instead of drivers, held the first round of Season Beta 1.1 on October 27 (local time). However, it seems that one of the participating teams still lacked the amount of AI learning. Immediately after leaving the grid, the system changed direction and was hit by the wall, and the scene was broadcast live on Twitch.
Unlike regular races, the Robo Race event held at the circuit in Hampshire, England, is a time trial in which the participating team’s machines run the circuit one at a time and pass through a checkpoint while avoiding virtual obstacles placed on the AR course.
Most of the participating teams finished smoothly to the finish line without a course-out. However, only one team (SITAcronis Autonomous) went straight to the concrete wall on the right right after departure and was unable to drive there.
Of course, no one was injured because no one was in the vehicle, but it is not known whether the computer rushes toward the wall at the start. Also, because the weather was unfortunately cloudy on this day, there were other teams that had a brake slip and spin out.
Of course, you can think of whether it is self-driving like a Tesla Autopilot. However, unlike general roads and highways, circuits have a wide course, no lines in the street, and few target objects around them. In this situation, it may be difficult to properly grasp the road surface and drive with the ideal line.
In addition, the video doesn’t seem to show that much speed, but the maximum speed is significant, so it can be said that the time for AI to retrieve information, process it appropriately, and operate the machine is shorter than that of ordinary autonomous vehicles. What RoboRace is aiming for is technology development in this situation, and if AI development progresses, there is a possibility that the machine itself will someday show the technology that can be seen as a human driver. You can check the video here .