Currently reading: Roborace reveals self-driving race car prototype

The DevBot prototype has been created to develop autonomous technology for future driverless electric race cars

Roborace has unveiled a prototype electric autonomous racing car, called the DevBot, which has been created to develop software for autonomous racing cars.

The DevBot has the same drivetrain, sensors, systems and communication technology that will be used in the Robocar, which will be revealed later this year ahead of the inaugural Roborace motorsport season.

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Roborace is a motorsport championship for autonomous electric vehicles. Races will be held prior to Formula E ePrixs, on the same circuits, during the 2016/17 Formula E championship. The self-driving cars will be racing on the city tracks and at exhibitions to showcase the autonomous technology.

Roborace has been testing the DevBot at airfields and racetracks, and the car recently drove itself around Silverstone. The only difference between DevBot and the Robocar is that it has a cabin to allow a human to drive it to monitor the software in real-time and experience the hardware.

The teams taking part in Roborace will each be given time to use the car over the next six months.

The DevBot has been in development for nine months and will be shown for the first time during the Formula E open practice sessions at Donington today.

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Shrub 24 August 2016

Hmmmmm

I reckon that I would watch a radio controlled car race using full size cars with no risk of driver injury. This is the first year since I was a lad that I haven't bothered watching F1 and so why not.
Marc 24 August 2016

It'd still be interesting

It'd still be interesting than F1
LP in Brighton 24 August 2016

Race them against normal cars

I think this series will only be interesting if there is a mix of human driven v autonomous cars. I would imagine that, initially at least, a conventionally driven car would beat an autonomous one of similar weight and performance - but it would be interesting to see!