A groundbreaking moment in autonomous racing took place at the Kennedy Space Center as an AI-driven Maserati MC20 Coupé hit a record-breaking speed of 319 km/h.
Image: Supplied, Indy Autonomous Challenge
BACK in the late ’70s I was terrified when a driverless black Rolls Royce terrorised a small desert town in the United States. As far as I can remember, this demonic vehicle appeared out of nowhere, running down and killing several residents before local law enforcement tried everything to stop it.
By the way, that hulk of a car was impervious to bullets and other attempts to disable it, and for a 10-year-old, it was unnerving.
Then, in the ’80s a red Plymouth Fury once again had me shaking in my boots. Christine was no ordinary car; she possessed a supernatural, malevolent intelligence and a jealous streak. Anyone who got between herself and her owner was dealt with – put another way, the driverless car ran them down.
Later, in the ’80s, KITT from Knight Rider restored my faith in driverless cars and made me believe that they could be good at heart.
And I certainly hope that this gut feeling is true, because I can only run at a speed of around 20km per hour and only for a short time.
Why am I saying this? Simply because recently, a driverless car reached a speed of 319km/h – almost 300km/h faster than I can run.
Yes, recently, a groundbreaking moment in autonomous (driverless) racing took place at the Kennedy Space Center as an AI-driven Maserati MC20 Coupé hit a record-breaking speed of 198.2 mph (319 km/h).
Developed by the Politecnico di Milano and the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC), the self-driving supercar shattered the previous record of 192.8 mph, proving that AI can handle extreme speeds without a human behind the wheel.
The test took place at the Space Florida Launch and Landing Facility, once a landing site for NASA’s space shuttles. With a 15,000-foot runway, it provided the perfect setting for pushing autonomous technology to the limit. The AI software, created by the PoliMOVE-MSU team, controlled the vehicle with precision, demonstrating just how far self-driving technology has come.
This isn’t the first time this Maserati has made history. In November 2024, it became the fastest autonomous production car, reaching 177 mph at Piacenza Military Airport. With each new test, researchers refine AI’s ability to handle real-world driving conditions, making future autonomous vehicles safer and more reliable.
"This is more than just breaking records," said Paul Mitchell, CEO of Indy Autonomous Challenge. "We’re testing AI and robotics in extreme conditions to improve safety and performance for real-world autonomous driving."
Following the record-setting run, another Maserati MC20 from the Politecnico di Milano joined the 1000 Miglia Experience Florida, an event celebrating automotive excellence. This same car previously navigated 60 km in autonomous mode during the historic 1000 Miglia race in Italy, blending tradition with cutting-edge innovation.
The success of this project marks a major step in self-driving technology, bridging the gap between motorsports, highway automation, and everyday urban mobility. With each test, the future of autonomous driving gets closer to becoming reality.
Related Topics: