INDIANAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#AI—Energy Systems Network (ESN) and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), organizers of the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC), will hold a press conference on January 11, 2021, on Media Day at CES 2021, to unveil the official racecar that will be autonomously driven by scores of university teams in the world’s first high-speed head-to-head autonomous race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The IAC race is scheduled for October 23, 2021, with a qualifying simulation race to be held during the Indy 500 week next May. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Racing Capital of the World, has also been a catalyst and proving ground for motorsport and transportation innovation since its inception in 1909.
What: Press Conference to Unveil the Official Racecar of the Indy Autonomous Challenge
When: January 11, 2021 at 2:00pm EST, followed by Q&A, as part of CES 2021 Media Day
Participants:
- Paul Mitchell, president & CEO, Energy Systems Network
- Mark Miles, president & CEO, Penske Entertainment Corp.
- Doug Boles, president, Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
- Stefano dePonti, CEO and general manager, Dallara USA
- Sebastian Thrun, CEO, Kitty Hawk and chairman and founder, Udacity, winner of the 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge,
The IAC will also host two 30-minute live Spotlight Sessions on January 12 and 13, 2021. The first: Commercialization of Autonomous Vehicles, presented by Energy Systems Network. The second: Technology in Motorsports, presented by Bridgestone.
The IAC builds on the successful impact of the DARPA Grand Challenge, which led to expanded R&D in the field of autonomous vehicles. Twenty-eight teams, comprising more than 500 undergraduate and graduate students, PhDs and mentors who excel in AI software, are registered to compete, representing 11 countries on four continents.
About the Indy Autonomous Challenge
The Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC), organized by Energy Systems Network (ESN) and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), is a $1.5 million prize competition among universities to program modified Dallara IL-15 racecars and compete in the world’s first autonomous head-to-head race around the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway on October 23, 2021. IAC sponsors include: ADLINK, Ansys, Aptiv, AutonomouStuff, Bridgestone, CU-ICAR, Dallara, Indiana Economic Development Corp., Microsoft, New Eagle, PWR, RTI, Schaeffler, Valvoline.
About CES® – The Global Stage for Innovation
CES® is the most influential tech event in the world — the proving ground for breakthrough technologies and global innovators. This is where the world’s biggest brands do business and meet new partners, and the sharpest innovators hit the stage.
Press Kits and BROLL will be distributed on January 11, 2021, posted on the IAC/CES microsite and IAC website. To learn more, visit: IndyAutonomousChallenge.com and follow us on Twitter (#IAC2021) and LinkedIn
Journalists attending the press conference must register by January 8, 2021 as media with CES 2021: https://ces2021.eventcore.com/
Contacts
Diane Murphy, Diane@aquarius group.net; +1.310.658.8756
Alex Damron adamron@brickyard.com; +1.317.501.4218
