ADLINK

［PRESS RELEASE］ ADLINK’s Edge AI Powers Autonomous Race Cars for Indy Autonomous Challenge

ADLINK is the official edge computing sponsor of the world’s first head-to-head, high speed autonomous land race

Summary:

  • The Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC), a global university competition, is the world’s first head-to-head, high speed autonomous land race 
  • ADLINK will provide IAC university teams with rugged edge AI devices, technical resources and engineering support for in-vehicle computing and validation
  • Teams will also benefit from ADLINK’s open source software support for ROS-based middleware including optimizing Open Robotics’ ROS 2 with Eclipse Cyclone DDS middleware integrated with the IAC vehicle sensor suite and Ansys’ VREXPERIENCE simulation 

San Jose – 17. November 2020

ADLINK Technology Inc., a global leader in edge computing, is an official sponsor of the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC), scheduled for October 23, 2021. The IAC is a two-year, $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, high-speed race at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). ADLINK will provide university teams with rugged deep learning acceleration edge platforms, engineering resources for in-vehicle computing and open source software support for ROS-based middleware. 

“One of the prominent barriers to automated vehicle (AV) commercialization the IAC addresses is solving ‘edge case’ scenarios – challenges that occur only at an extreme operating parameter, such as avoiding unanticipated obstacles at high speeds while maintaining vehicular control,” said Matt Peak, managing director of Energy Systems Network, a primary organizer of the IAC. “We welcome the expertise that ADLINK can provide to the university teams in applying real-world edge computing solutions to AV scenarios.” 

Teams from around the world representing universities in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Americas will use modified Dallara IL-15 racecars fitted with an ADLINK DLAP-8000 series robot controller for in-vehicle computing. ADLINK’s rugged edge AI system has been tested with open source autonomous driving software and middleware platforms, including Autoware.Auto, Open Robotics ROS 2, Eclipse iceoryx, Eclipse Zenoh and Eclipse Cyclone DDS.  

ADLINK helped bring together The Autoware Foundation, Open Robotics, OpenCV and Eclipse Foundation to support IAC and the 39 universities competing in this first-of-its-kind global challenge. Their combined contributions will enable split-second decisions based on real-time data during the race, a critical factor with car speeds that may reach 200 mph. 

“ADLINK is committed to making AI accessible to industry, and autonomous driving is a key application,” said Joe Speed, field CTO at ADLINK. “We’re depending on the next generation of technology innovators to continue pushing the boundaries of autonomy. The IAC is the perfect platform to bring together education and industry to make high-performance autonomous driving a reality; ADLINK is proud to be part of this effort.” 

With this sponsorship, ADLINK joins an elite group of automotive and technology collaborators with a common goal, aligned with the IAC, of increasing public awareness of the transformational impact that automation can have on society, including improving safety and environmental quality.