TUM Races to Victory at ASPIRE’s Inaugural Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League at Yas Marina Circuit

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 28, 2024--

TUM (Technical University of Munich) from Germany, claimed victory at the inaugural Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL), at Yas Marina Circuit on Saturday (April 27). As the cars lined up on the grid, with antennae, sensors, AI capabilities, and drive-by-wire systems instead of human drivers, eight teams vied with one another over two days of races and challenges. TUM beat back the competition with its coding and engineering skills in a world-first, four-car race finale, to claim the winner’s share of US$2.25 million prize pot.

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Bringing a science experiment to the racetrack, the inaugural race pushed the boundaries of autonomous technology while adding entertainment value to extreme sports at an unprecedented scale. A2RL drew over 10,000 spectators at the circuit and captured the attention of over 600,000 online viewers in just 12 hours. Organized by ASPIRE, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), A2RL fuses extreme autonomous racing and AI to accelerate the global development of autonomous systems and technologies.

Following months of meticulous preparation spent refining driving AI algorithms in simulations, A2RL’s customized Dallara Super Formula SF23 cars tested the limits of human ingenuity and AI capability. Each team utilized an identical Super Formula race car - the fastest open-wheel race car in the world after Formula One- adapted for autonomous racing by the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), a sister company of ASPIRE.

Teams faced a complex task in coding. From understanding grip levels, managing tire temperatures, predicting opponent movements, performing successful overtakes, and operating the SF23 right at the limit of grip, the AI needed to perform all the things that racing drivers do intuitively. Additionally, with four autonomous cars racing on the track simultaneously, it marked a world-first attempt that added another layer of challenge.

In a last-lap shootout, the German outfit TUM snatched first place in a daring overtake when front-running Italian team UNIMORE slowed down and came to a stop on the track. The team was congratulated on the racetrack by H.H. Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed, who presented the Championship Trophy, along with H.E. Faisal Al Bannai, Secretary General, ATRC, and Strategic Research & Advanced Technology Affairs Advisor to the UAE President.

Simon Hoffmann, Team Principal, said: “This event has been nothing short of extraordinary, and the finale was our defining moment. We are absolutely thrilled with the outcome; it speaks volumes about our collective engineering prowess, coding expertise, and sheer determination. It's a testament to the incredible power of AI driving the evolution of autonomous mobility into the future!"

Spectators also enjoyed the riveting AI versus Human Race, where the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), pitted its autonomous car against renowned Formula One driver Daniil Kvyat. While Kvyat managed to hold his own and edge past his autonomous adversary by 10.38 secs, the spectacular 45-minute race highlighted just how close the autonomous race car performs against a human driver.

H.E. Al Bannai, said: “Through the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League, we've sparked a race revolution. Showcasing fully autonomous racecars competing wheel-to-wheel, we've redefined the UAE's role in innovation and set a bold precedent for global mobility. This event isn't just a race; it's a transformative moment where technology, imagination, and ambition converge. A2RL serves as a beacon, inspiring the next generation through physical and virtual realities, while shaping a future where the impossible becomes achievable."

H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Group MD & CEO of ADNOC, as Title Sponsor, said: “Advances in artificial intelligence promise to transform every industry. The A2RL demonstrates the application of AI and as title sponsor, ADNOC is proud to help push the frontiers of science and innovation.”

Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE, said: “The launch of A2RL has reshaped the landscape of sports and technology, leaving a lasting impact for years to come. Moving forward, we're broadening our focus to include different vehicle types, while actively attracting top talent worldwide to showcase their mettle.”

On the sidelines of the main event, the A2RL STEM Challenge for high-school and undergrad students between the ages of 14 and 21 drew the participation of 18 local schools, in addition to an international entry from the Boys and Girls Club from Southeastern Michigan, to showcase their knowledge, skills, and innovation by racing 1:8 scale autonomous cars. The winner of the A2RL STEM Challenge was Heriot-Watt University.

A2RL pioneered the integration of mixed and virtual reality elements for the first time in autonomous racing. It gave each of the eight finalist teams a unique avatar persona and incorporated state-of-the-art Virtual Reality (VR) technology ahead of F1 implementation, igniting enthusiastic fan experience both online and offline. Fans at the event in Yas Marina Circuit got to enjoy insightful STEM workshops, intriguing VR challenges, Gran Turismo simulators, doodle cars, and a Raceum AI Museum, among other activities. The inaugural event concluded with a spectacular display of fireworks and drones, illuminating the iconic Yas Marina Circuit.

A2RL 2024 was successfully supported by ADNOC as Title Sponsor, and leading partners, including Du, DMT, AWS, and Mubadala, who played pivotal roles in shaping the event’s trajectory.

Details of the eight participating teams and other updates can be found at A2RL.io.

Source:AETOSWire

TUM Races to Victory at ASPIRE’s Inaugural Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League at Yas Marina Circuit - (Photo: AETOSWire)

TUM Races to Victory at ASPIRE’s Inaugural Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League at Yas Marina Circuit - (Photo: AETOSWire)

TUM Races to Victory at ASPIRE’s Inaugural Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League at Yas Marina Circuit - (Photo: AETOSWire)

TUM Races to Victory at ASPIRE’s Inaugural Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League at Yas Marina Circuit - (Photo: AETOSWire)

TUM Races to Victory at ASPIRE’s Inaugural Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League at Yas Marina Circuit - (Photo: AETOSWire)

TUM Races to Victory at ASPIRE’s Inaugural Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League at Yas Marina Circuit - (Photo: AETOSWire)

TUM Races to Victory at ASPIRE’s Inaugural Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League at Yas Marina Circuit - (Photo: AETOSWire)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said he was trying to provide a spark when he and bench coach Daniel Descalso got ejected from Sunday's game with the Milwaukee Brewers.

The plan worked. The last-place Cardinals (16-24) now hope it can provide a turning point to what has been a frustrating season up to this point.

St. Louis trailed 3-1 in the third inning when Marmol and Descalso were ejected by home plate umpire Alan Porter following two missed calls by first-base umpire Sean Barber that the Cardinals successfully challenged. With hitting coach Turner Ward managing the rest of the day, the Cardinals rallied from a three-run deficit and beat the NL Central-leading Brewers 4-3 to snap a seven-game skid.

“Alan Porter and Sean Barber are good umpires,” Marmol said. “That had more to do with getting something going. Those guys do a nice job. Their job is tough. But at times, you’ve just got to — a little skid — get something going. I don’t have anything against that group.”

The Cardinals said the ejections provided a lift.

“I think that's just kind of publicly letting everyone see exactly how the coaches feel,” first baseman Paul Goldschmidt said. “There's times when they stay calm and kind of keep everyone even-keeled, and there's sometimes when they probably need to do stuff like that. Today, that's what it called for, I guess, for them. They felt like that's what it called for. Fortunately we were able to respond.”

The first replay challenge turned a fielder’s choice into an inning-ending double play in the bottom of the second. Barber had ruled that Milwaukee’s Brice Turang was safe at first, but replays showed the throw from shortstop Brandon Crawford beat him to the bag.

In the top of the third, Barber ruled that St. Louis’ Iván Herrera was out at first on an apparent inning-ending double play. The Cardinals challenged the call again, and replays showed Herrera was safe at first, turning the double play into a fielder’s choice.

The Cardinals also got a tough call as they fell behind 3-0 in the first inning when Rhys Hoskins drew a bases-loaded walk on a 3-2 pitch from Miles Mikolas that was ruled to be just high. Mikolas held out his arms in apparent protest as soon as the call was made.

“We’ve been put through the wringer here early,” Mikolas said. “Obviously there’s a lot of emotions and tempers flaring. Umpires have a real hard job, but it gets real frustrating when things aren’t going your way, and it seems like the deck can be almost stacked against you sometimes. ... Sometimes you’ve got to let that frustration out and get the boys fired up. I think after they got tossed, we got a little fired up. It's a nice reminder that they've got your back."

The Cardinals' comeback meant they wouldn't be carrying an eight-game losing streak as they head west for a three-game series with the Los Angeles Angels beginning Monday. A loss would have dropped the Cardinals 10 games behind the Brewers in the NL Central standings.

St. Louis won the NL Central as recently as 2022 but slumped to 71-91 last year due largely to poor pitching. The Cardinals boosted their rotation in the offseason by signing Sonny Gray, Kyle Gibson and Lance Lynn, who have all been effective to varying degrees.

But their lineup has let them down. Only the Chicago White Sox have scored fewer runs than the Cardinals this season. The Cardinals went 4 for 35 with runners in scoring position during their four-game series at Milwaukee and won Sunday.

Perhaps Sunday's comeback will turn things around. Although the Cardinals left 13 men on base, they also saw Goldschmidt break out of his slump.

Goldschmidt, the 2022 NL MVP, had gone 1 for 34 in May before leading off the fifth inning with his third homer of the season. He followed that up by delivering a game-tying single in the sixth.

“I know I haven’t played well, but I don’t carry that from day to day,” said Goldschmidt, who is batting .197 with a .559 OPS. "I just try to show up every day and help us win. Unfortunately, I haven’t done a good enough job of that, but thinking about the past isn’t going to help me perform in the present. I’ll just continue to work each day and hopefully I can play well going forward.”

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol argues with home plate umpire Alan Porter during the third inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Sunday, May 12, 2024, in Milwaukee. Marmol was ejected from the game. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol argues with home plate umpire Alan Porter during the third inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Sunday, May 12, 2024, in Milwaukee. Marmol was ejected from the game. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol argues with home plate umpire Alan Porter during the third inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Sunday, May 12, 2024, in Milwaukee. Marmol was ejected from the game. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol argues with home plate umpire Alan Porter during the third inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Sunday, May 12, 2024, in Milwaukee. Marmol was ejected from the game. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)