AI-powered Maserati hits 177 mph in groundbreaking test

The Italian research team AIDA (Artificial Intelligence Driving Autonomous) and Maserati have achieved a new speed record for autonomous vehicles, reaching 177 mph with a self-driving MC20 Coupe.

Project overview; AIDA, developed at Politecnico di Milano, aims to advance autonomous driving technology for both high-performance applications and urban mobility solutions.

• The record-breaking run took place at the Piacenza-San Damiano Air Base in Italy using a modified Maserati MC20 Coupe
• AIDA’s research focuses on four key areas: high-speed driving, racing, city life, and commercial applications
• The team is also developing an autonomous MC20 Cielo convertible and plans another speed record attempt at Cape Canaveral

Technical specifications; The autonomous system employs a sophisticated array of sensors and computing hardware to enable self-driving capabilities.

• The vehicle is equipped with two lidar sensors, four cameras, four radar sensors, and four GPS antennas
• Two specialized on-board computers handle real-time AI computing
• These modifications significantly expand upon the standard MC20’s basic radar-only system

Urban mobility goals; AIDA’s ultimate objective extends beyond high-performance demonstrations to practical transportation solutions.

• The project aims to improve mobility in dense urban environments, particularly in European cities
• Initial deployment will focus on Milan, Italy, before expanding to other locations
• The system will facilitate multimodal transportation by connecting smaller cities with train and bus stations

Safety and implementation; AIDA has developed a hybrid approach to autonomous operation that balances automation with human oversight.

• When autonomous vehicles encounter complex situations, they are designed to safely pull over
• Remote operators can temporarily take control to navigate challenging scenarios
• Professor Savaresi Sergio Matteo confirms daily testing in urban, suburban, and highway environments

Future vision; The development team recognizes that successful implementation requires both technological advancement and social acceptance.

• The system proposes a transitional solution where vehicles can be summoned autonomously but driven manually
• After completing a journey, vehicles would return to autonomous mode for the next user or to charge
• This approach addresses current resistance to shared vehicle usage while maintaining flexibility for users

Adoption challenges and outlook; The successful integration of autonomous vehicles into daily life faces both technical and social hurdles that will require careful navigation and time to overcome, particularly as shared mobility hasn’t gained the widespread acceptance that was predicted a decade ago.