RTI Drives Student Success in Indianapolis Autonomous Car Race
Real-Time Innovations (RTI) is helping over 500 students worldwide develop control software for racing full-size, driverless Dallara IL-15 race cars. RTI, a company known for creating software frameworks for smart machines and real-world systems, has partnered with the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC). This two-year, $1.5 million university competition aims to push the boundaries of autonomous mobility technologies.
In October 2021, students from universities around the globe will compete in the first-ever high-speed, autonomous race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. These teams will use RTI’s open software framework, Connext DDS, to design, test, and operate the modified Dallara IL-15 race cars. Connext DDS enables real-time data exchange while ensuring continuous availability and security.
Matt Peak, managing director of Energy Systems Network and one of the main organizers of the IAC, highlighted the challenge’s goal to address scenarios that occur at extreme conditions, like avoiding unexpected obstacles while maintaining high-speed control. He emphasized that such tasks would be impossible without real-time data transfer, and RTI’s partnership provides a strong foundation for the teams.
Connext DDS is compatible with systems like ROS2 and Autosar, allowing for quicker prototyping and development. With car speeds anticipated to exceed 320km/hr, Connext DDS is designed to meet ISO 26262 safety standards.
Neil Puthuff, a senior software integration engineer and project leader at RTI, pointed out that the required lap speeds are faster than some professional race winners over the past decade. He mentioned that the race demands creativity and optimal use of every microsecond in the control system. The students will need a high-performance framework for their cars that can handle extreme conditions and integrate any software they create or choose, from initial prototypes to race day. Puthuff believes competitions like this spur innovation, and RTI is proud to support a challenge that inspires future mobility leaders.
RTI joins an array of automotive and technology leaders, including Ansys, Aptiv, and Microsoft, as official sponsors of the challenge. The IAC is backed by the RTI University Program, which supports university research and hands-on education. Universities globally are using RTI technology to advance their research in areas like robotics, autonomous vehicles, space exploration, and connected healthcare.
Organized by Energy Systems Network and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the IAC is a $1.5 million prize competition for universities to program modified Dallara IL-15 race cars and compete in the first autonomous head-to-head race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on October 23, 2021. Racing at speeds up to 320km/hr, the challenge primarily aims to advance technologies that could accelerate the commercialization of fully autonomous vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
