A team of graduate students from Stanford University have built a robotic Audi TTS that will take on the Pike’s Peak race course – without a driver. Equipped with a bevy of electronic gadgetry and a $100,000 GPS system, the driver-less Audi will tackle this 2.4-mile, 156-turn course that ascends over 14,000 feet entirely with the help of software designed to mimic the driving techniques of a real racecar driver.
Audi’s legendary Quattro all-wheel drive system is a feature designed for such an extreme race course according to Madison Audi, but navigating such treacherous terrain at high speed could typically only be accomplished with the skill of a seasoned driver. While it may not be able to sense the curves ahead of the car, Quattro-equipped Audis are often sought after among Boise used cars dealerships since it provides a level of sure-foot responsiveness that 2WD vehicles simply don’t possess.
The goal of this initiative is to create the foundation for an autonomous driving system that will one day be integrated into all vehicles as a safety measure. Regardless of whether these systems become mainstream, we’re certain most TTS drivers would like to remain in control.
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