An inside look at the autonomous supercars debuted by Maserati at CES 2025

Maserati showcased two autonomous MC20 supercars at CES 2025, including a self-driving Coupé model that recently achieved a record-breaking speed of 177 mph without human intervention.

The technology breakthrough: The autonomous MC20 models represent a significant advancement in high-speed self-driving capabilities, developed through the Artificial Intelligence Driving Autonomous (AIDA) project at Milan Polytechnic.

• The MC20 Coupé served as the safety car at the 2025 CES Autonomous Challenge in Las Vegas
• A convertible MC20 Cielo version featuring the same autonomous technology was unveiled at the main CES show
• The project previously made history when an autonomous MC20 became the first self-driving car to participate in Italy’s Mille Miglia race

Technical specifications: The AIDA system employs a four-module architecture that enables advanced autonomous driving capabilities.

• The perception module uses machine learning and neural networks to process data from cameras, Lidar, and radar sensors
• Geo-localization technology utilizing GNSS sensors positions the vehicle within a defined map
• Planning and control modules enable autonomous trajectory following and decision-making
• The system demonstrated its capabilities by operating in heavy fog conditions during the record speed run

Performance milestones: The autonomous MC20 achieved unprecedented performance metrics during testing at Piacenza-San Damiano Air Base.

• The vehicle reached 177 mph without human intervention, setting a new record for AI-driven production cars
• The achievement occurred in challenging weather conditions, demonstrating the system’s robustness
• Testing at high speeds helps validate the reliability and efficiency of the autonomous algorithms

Expert perspective: Project leader Sergio Matteo Savaresi, director at Milan Polytechnic, emphasized the significance of high-speed testing.

• High-speed operation demands more efficient and error-free algorithms
• Extreme conditions testing is crucial for validating autonomous system performance
• The successful CES demonstration further validates the technology’s capabilities

Future implications: While most autonomous vehicle development focuses on everyday driving scenarios, Maserati’s achievement demonstrates the potential for self-driving technology in high-performance applications, potentially expanding the scope of autonomous vehicle capabilities beyond basic transportation.