PREVIEW

Researchers from the Politecnico di Milano university have broken the world speed record for an autonomously driven car.

They teamed up with Maserati and the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC) and the 1000 Miglia Experience Florida to break the record at Cape Canaveral, Florida last week (end2March2025).
The record was set at the Space Florida Launch and Landing Facility (LLF) at the Kennedy Space Center. The LLF is one of the world's longest runways at 15,000 feet (2.8 miles) and is known as the historic site for NASA Space Shuttle landings. Once primarily used for government operations, the LLF has evolved into a vibrant hub for aerospace innovation, research, manufacturing, and testing.
Development of the AI driver software was carried out by the PoliMOVE-MSU team, which is part of the performance division of AIDA (Artificial Intelligence Driving Autonomous) at Politecnico di Milano.

The Indy Autonomous Challenge Maserati MC20 Coupé, guided by artificial intelligence from Politecnico di Milano and modified to operate autonomously, reached 197.7 mph (318 km/h) without a human driver on board. This achievement surpasses the previous autonomous vehicle speed record of 192.8 mph, also set by the Indy Autonomous Challenge and PoliMOVE at the same location in April 2022 with an IAC AV-21 race car. The breakthrough marks a significant step forward in high-speed autonomous driving and highlights how advancements in autonomous racing can be applied to consumer vehicles.

The Maserati MC20 Coupé, equipped with the AI system from Politecnico di Milano, previously held the record for the fastest autonomous production car, reaching 285 km/h (177 mph) at the Piacenza Military Airport track in November 2024. With this latest achievement, the vehicle has once again raised the bar, showcasing the innovation and technological prowess of Italian engineering.

"These world speed records are much more than just a showcase of future technology; we are pushing AI-driver software and robotics hardware to the absolute edge. Doing so with a production car is helping transition the learnings of autonomous racing to enable safe, secure, sustainable, high-speed autonomous mobility on highways," said Paul Mitchell, CEO of Indy Autonomous Challenge and Aidoptation BV.

Professor Sergio Matteo Savaresi, Scientific Director of the project and Director of the Department of Electronics, Information, and Bioengineering at Politecnico di Milano, added: "The goal of high-speed tests is to evaluate the behaviour of robo-drivers in extreme conditions. These AI systems have been tested in production vehicles at legal road speeds in the Indy Autonomous Challenge races since 2021.

“The AIDA team used this test to push the boundaries of autonomous driving, improving safety and reliability. Conducted in controlled environments without a human driver, the test assesses the AI's stability, robustness, and reaction time, ultimately enhancing safety for low-speed urban mobility situations," explained Professor Sergio Matteo Savaresi, Scientific Director of the project and Director of the Department of Electronics, Information, and Bioengineering at Politecnico di Milano.”

Following the record-breaking test, a second Maserati MC20 Cielo convertible continued its American journey by joining the convoy of the 1000 Miglia Experience Florida. This vehicle, also from Politecnico di Milano, had already played a key role in the 2023 edition of the historic 1000 Miglia race, covering approximately 60 km in autonomous mode across Italy. Now, it will parade on the roads of the United States, showcasing the excellence of Italian research and design.

The collaboration between the Indy Autonomous Challenge and the Politecnico di Milano, supported by Maserati and the 1000 Miglia Experience Florida, marks a significant milestone in autonomous driving research. It lays the groundwork for future technological advancements and accelerates the development of cutting-edge technologies for the commercialisation of autonomous vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The ultimate aim is to tackle real-world challenges, drive innovation, and enhance safety and performance in both motorsport and everyday transportation.