AI-Powered Maserati MC20 Sets Self-Driving Speed Record

AI-powered Maserati MC20 Coupe last week broke the self-driving high-speed limit, signifying the potential use of AI-driven technology to redefine motorsport and everyday transportation systems. With the blend of innovation and preserving the heritage of Italian automotive excellence, Maserati relied on the MC20 Coupe, which was enhanced for advanced AI capabilities to achieve top speed without a driver onboard.

The Maserati MC20 coupe accelerated to the top speed of 318 km/h, surpassing the previous 310 km/h seed set by the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC) AV-21 race car. The record was set at Space Florida Launch and Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, making it one of the longest runways, around 2.8 miles. Earlier, this runway was used for Space Shuttle landings, and this time, it offered an ideal testing ground for high-speed car tests.

This significant milestone was achieved with the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC), Politecnico di Milano (Italy’s leading science and technology university), Maserati, and the 1000 Miglia Experience Florida. The advanced AI system was developed by the PoliMOVE-MSU team, which is a unit of Politecnico di Milano’s AIDA initiative.

The self-driving technology leveraged deterministic algorithms with AI, enabling AI-driver software and robotics hardware to achieve their best performance capability. This technology was also tested in extreme conditions to ensure it remained reliable and stable, assisting in making the future of mobility safe and reliable, including in low-speed urban applications.

Maserati also underwent an autonomous speed test, achieving 285 km/h of top speed in November 2024 at Piacenza Military Airport in Italy.