Edition 3: Chief Science Officer. Matt Flagg, PhD
Code19 Racing
World's First Professional Autonomous Motorsports Team, bringing proven autonomy to those who need it most.
At the core of our mission to dominate the autonomous racing world lies cutting-edge localization—pinpointing the car's exact position on the track with unparalleled precision and speed. Our team is utilizing a powerful combination of Kistler, LiDAR, and GNSS technologies to make it happen.
The Kistler 2059A, a state-of-the-art optical sensor, measures 2D velocity with remarkable accuracy by analyzing subtle changes in the ground's appearance beneath the car. It’s a game-changer for sections of the Yas Marina Circuit where GNSS signals falter, such as the iconic hotel underpass, pit tunnel or other GNSS-denied zones.
But that’s just the beginning. Our LiDAR sensors elevate localization to the next level, capturing up to 20 highly detailed point clouds per second. Each point cloud overlaps with the previous one, enabling the construction of a seamless, highly accurate 3D map of the track. By aligning these point clouds with GNSS coordinates as a pseudo ground truth, the team creates a unified, robust representation of the circuit.
Once the map is complete, the focus shifts to global LiDAR localization, a cutting-edge technique that aligns incoming LiDAR data to the pre-built map. This process delivers the car’s position in a fixed global coordinate system—mirroring the consistency of GNSS. ?By combining the precision of Kistler, the reliability of GNSS, and the spatial intelligence of LiDAR, the team is redefining localization and setting a new benchmark in autonomous racing technology.
Updates from Team Principal, Ryan James
Returning to Abu Dhabi was more than just another test session - it was a moment of reflection and progress. Earlier this year, as rookies, we were finding our feet and playing catch-up. But this time, stepping back into the pit-lane felt like coming home. A2RL’s innovative policy of inviting teams to test their 2025 prototype car is a massive step forward for the league, and we were proud to be part of it. While much of the testing remains confidential, what we can share is our excitement about the direction the 2025 car is taking. From the first moments in the garage, our preparation over the off-season showed. We knew how to set up, how to run, and how to maximize our time on the track. We left the Abu Dhabi inaugural race with a clear vision on what we needed to build and improve before the next race. We returned six-months smarter from our McLaren testing at Navarra and Silverstone.
?The backbone of this progress is our team. Developing and running an autonomous race car is one of the most demanding jobs in motorsport. Off track, we’re software engineers, refining AI systems to operate on the bleeding edge of performance. But when it’s time to send our multi-million dollar racecar on track by itself, the high speed/high consequence environment turns our team garage into something more like a fighter jet. Deciding when to push, when to hold back, what to test, safety vs. lap time - demands a rare blend of technical precision and raw, real-time instinct. We’re incredibly fortunate to attract people to our team that thrive at both, and there’s no other group of people in the world I’d rather solve these hard problems with. Whether as a fan, engineer, or brand partner - join us on this journey, it’s going to be awesome.
Racing Tech News: F1 utilizing AI to Improve Operations
Formula One is increasingly utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) across various aspects of its operations. AI is enhancing race strategies by processing vast amounts of data from car sensors, enabling more accurate simulations and better decision-making during races, such as with Red Bull's partnership with Oracle. The technology also supports F1’s sustainability efforts by reducing the need to transport physical equipment, thanks to cloud computing. In broadcasting, AI generates real-time stats and improves operational efficiency, ensuring a more engaging experience for fans.
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Looking to the future, F1 is exploring AI's potential in autonomous racing, as demonstrated by the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League, where AI-controlled cars race without human drivers. This marks a significant leap from earlier applications, highlighting the rapid development of AI in motorsport. As AI continues to evolve, its role in F1’s operations—from race strategy to sustainability—promises to shape the future of the sport.
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Source: BlackBook Motorsport. "How AI is Transforming Formula One: From Race Strategy to Sustainability." BlackBook Motorsport, November 2024.