Indy Autonomous Challenge prepares to make history at CES 2022, hosting autonomous racecar competition and announcing Luminar as premier sponsor 

January 3-8, 2022, Las Vegas

Highlights

  • Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC) to host the Autonomous Challenge @ CES, Las Vegas Motor Speedway - January 7, 2022, the first high-speed, head-to-head autonomous racecar competition in history

  • 19 universities, from 8 countries, forming 9 race teams seeking to compete

  • IAC Dallara AV-21 racecar to be featured at CES 2022

  • January 3 (5-8:30 PM) - CES Unveiled Las Vegas, Mandalay Bay

  • January 5-8 – Exhibit in West Hall, Booth #5029 

  • IAC to host CES Conference Track Panel: Accelerating AV Talent & Commercialization - January 6, 2022 (11 AM)

INDIANAPOLIS (December 16, 2021) -- Energy Systems Network (ESN), principal organizer of the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC), today announced details of the upcoming IAC events at CES 2022 in Las Vegas, Nev., January 3-8, 2022. Making history as the first high-speed, head-to-head autonomous racecar competition, 19 universities from 8 countries will form 9 race teams and will seek to compete in the Autonomous Challenge @ CES.

Luminar (NASDAQ: LAZR), the global leader in automotive lidar hardware and software technology and longtime IAC sponsor, will serve as a premier sponsor and prominent automotive technology partner of the Autonomous Challenge @ CES. The Dallara AV-21 is the most advanced race car ever built and features three Luminar Hydra LiDAR sensors to provide 360-degree long-range sensing, which enables safe autonomy at high speeds.

“Our university teams have proven that they can advance autonomous technology by setting world records with high-speed laps and now, on the biggest technology stage at CES 2022, they will take it to the next level with a head-to-head passing competition,” said Paul Mitchell, president and CEO, Energy Systems Network. “The Consumer Technology Association and CES 2022 play a central role in showcasing and advancing autonomous technology worldwide, so we can’t think of a better partner for this next step of the competition or for future implications of this technology.”

A primary goal of the IAC is to advance technology that can speed the commercialization of fully autonomous vehicles and deployments of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). Designed by university teams, these enhancements will lead to increased safety and performance in motorsports as well as all modes of commercial transportation. In addition, the competition is a platform for students to excel in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and inspire the next generation of innovators.

“Similar to the DARPA Grand Challenge in 2004 and those that followed, the Indy Autonomous Challenge plays an important role in exposing more students to autonomous technology, which in turn helps shape the next generation of engineers who will go on to build mission-driven technology companies like Luminar,” said Austin Russell, founder and CEO, Luminar. 

The IAC made history on October 23, 2021, when it held the Indy Autonomous Challenge Powered by Cisco, the first high-speed autonomous racecar competition at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). All 9 teams which competed at IMS, including the winner of the competition and all of the finalists, will seek to compete at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS) in the Autonomous Challenge @ CES.

 

IAC @ CES 2022 - West Hall Booth #5029

The IAC, in association with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), will have a major presence at CES 2022. Featured in West Hall Booth #5029, will be the IAC’s most advanced autonomous racecar, the Dallara AV-21.

Indy Autonomous Challenge: Accelerating AV Talent & Commercialization Panel, January 6, 2022 - West Hall Rooms 216-218, 11-11:40 AM

Advancing autonomous transportation involves developing ideas and innovation, accelerating commercialization, and tapping into the next generation of innovators. Hear from a coalition of thought leaders making big strides to advance this technology.

Autonomous Challenge @ CES, Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS), January 7, 2022 (Only CES 2022 credentialed attendees, exhibitors and media will be permitted to attend)

The Autonomous Challenge @ CES event is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. PST, with live commentary. Nine (9) teams, representing 19 universities from 8 countries will seek to compete in the first high-speed, head-to-head autonomous passing competition, using the most advanced autonomous racecar, the Dallara AV-21.

The IAC university teams registered for the Autonomous Challenge @ CES on January 7, 2022 are:

 

Important Resources:

Media Resources (video and photos): IAC Website/Media

Media Credentials and Interviews: Media interested in attending the Autonomous Challenge @ CES at the LVMS and/or conducting one-on-one interviews with IAC principals or teams, should contact Allison Fried (IAC@onemorevolley.com). (Only CES 2022 credentialed attendees, exhibitors and media will be permitted to attend).

MEDIA CONTACTS

  • National/International: Allison Fried, (IAC@onemorevolley.com)

  • Indiana: Raquel Bahamonde, (rbahamonde@cicpindiana.com) +1.317.319.6875

IAC SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow the IAC on social using @IndyAChallenge on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube; Hashtag #IAC2022