Self-Driving Audi RS7 Beats Sports Car Drivers at Sonoma Raceway
Audi has updated its self-driving race car and brought it to the U.S. for testing.
This special RS 7 is fitted with Audi’s “Piloted Driving” technology and managed to lap the Sonoma Raceway in California in 2:01.01 without a driver in the car.
“In Sonoma, we took the Audi RS7 piloted driving concept to its physical limits lap after lap, and it handled the task with uniform precision,” says Thomas Müller, the man responsible for the development of brake, steering and driver assistance systems at Audi. “The car turned in lap times that were better than those of sports car drivers.”
SEE ALSO: The Next Audi A8 Will Drive Itself
This new car, nicknamed “Robby,” makes 560 hp and is fitted with automated controls that power the electromechanical power steering, brakes, throttle valve and eight-speed transmission. 3D cameras make sure that Robby can monitor its surroundings in real time and compare the images with a database of reference points, such as buildings at the track.
Robby is a replacement for “Bobby,” the first RS7 Piloted Driving concept which lapped Hockenheim without a driver. Audi also shaved an incredible 881 lbs off of the new car, making it more agile.
0-60 in 3.6 sec. 560hp. Twin-turbo V8. Bobby, the piloted #AudiRS7, is a fleet-footed chauffeur you can trust. pic.twitter.com/rZgtXNnVMe
— Audi (@Audi) July 13, 2015
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Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>
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About as fast as a human with a stock Toyobaru BRZ...
Wow! This thing is sick bring it to Asia Audi!! We have great tracks in China and Singapore for this sexy beast. Audi. Truth in engineering. Now how long before those imitating brands sneak a copy of Robby? Lols!