Formula E The End of the Racing Driver?

[Viscount]

For the 2016/2017 Formula E season there will be series of support races, Roborace.

Roborace will feature driverless cars (pictured above) racing on the Formula E tracks against each other based on sensors & algorithms rather than instinct. No drivers in the garage remotely controlling these cars, it will be pure Artificial Intelligence monitored by a team of engineers.

All teams competing will use the same car design but their own algorithms.The Robocar is designed by Daniel Simon, alongside a team of engineers & aerodynamicists, whose (according to wikipedia) highlights include being a senior designer at Bugatti, designing the Light Cycle in Tron: Legacy & designing HRT's 2011 livery, though he probably left that last one off his CV.

Audi have already successfully tested their "Robby" RS7 driverless car (or piloted driver as they call it) at a number of tracks. From what I've seen of it's times it's faster than your average driver but the technology is still seconds behind a professional racing driver.

It's an interesting concept, raising the question as technology & AI gets better, would AI be faster than a racing driver? But whether Roborace actually becomes successful remains to be seen.

 

[RasputinLives]

I see it as an interesting aspect which Formula E has brought in to show they are pushing new boundaries. I think as a spectator sport though it will lose the human interest. Most people cheer on and individual not a machine.

I think the idea that motorsport might evolved in the future to have cars circulating race tracks whilst being piloted remotely by drivers who are safely tucked away in a mock cockpit in the garage somewhere is a distinct possibility. Imagine the speeds and tracks they could race on if safety was not an issue.

 

[gethinceri]

Looks better than the current F1 cars.

 

[RasputinLives]

Yeah it does look pretty cool!

 

[FB]

It will be interesting to watch, especially if they try and overtake one another as some of the main skills of a racing driver is finding a gap and selling other drivers a dummy. I will also add that although I find the tech in racing cars fascinating it's the drivers that I stay to watch.

 

[Greenlantern101]

Wow really interesting. When robots struggle with the simplest tasks it's going to be very interesting to see how well they can race.

Take away the regulations on speed add mini guns and rocket launchers then you've got a real sport

 

[The Pits]

safely tucked away in a mock cockpit in the garage somewhere is a distinct possibility

Oooooh, a "Mockpit" if you will!!

I quite like this idea, but only as an addition to actually watching someone race. Although, some might say that the cars would still be more lucid in an interview than Kimi.

 

[Kewee]

The Pits ..... more lucid than Kimi.

 

[The Pits]

Maybe the algorithms could include podium interviews, and they get extra points if they pass the Turing test...

From a technological point of view, this is right up there, and a great test bed for AI, and car related tech. As a sporting event, not so much, not gladiatorial, and not really relatable to the average "guy on the street" I mean, who would buy a computer game where you have to program a car to drive itself, rather than, well, drive the car.....

 

[Titch]

Without even a seat for a passenger, they are a bit pointless. You can't even load them up with shopping and send them home having done a useful job.
The roads are clogged enough without filling them up with racing robocars.

 

[The Pits]

Ssshhhh Titch you know they are watching you!!

http://cliptheapex.com/threads/ask-CTA-anything.5375/page-67#post-303128

 

[Shogun]

I think as a spectator sport though it will lose the human interest. Most people cheer on and individual not a machine.

I actually think most people cheer for a certain team or a certain brand, not a driver.

 

[RasputinLives]

Shogun I think it differs from person to person but I think just a simple look at the amount of Mclaren t-shirts in the crowd at the British GP in 2012, and then a look at the amount of Merc t-shirts in 2014 would show the vast everyday fan follows a personality.

Maybe the hardcore motor racing fan has loyalty to a team but I would not say they were the majority.

All PR has to put a human face on things so people tag on to stuff. Prime example is the 'Adrian Newey cars are always the best'. He doesn't build the on his own, he doesn't't even design them on his own but the media can't present a team of people so they use him as the figure head.

 

[cider_and_toast]

I think it's the lack of risk that makes a driverless series sterile. We like that gladiator spirit with a driver in the car putting his backside on the line.

 

[Grizzly]

I think it's the lack of risk that makes a driverless series sterile. We like that gladiator spirit with a driver in the car putting his backside on the line.

The image in my head of the geeky fall-out in the pits when someone's badly programmed car takes out a leading competitor is fun though

 

[gethinceri]

I actually think most people cheer for a certain team or a certain brand, not a driver.

No, I'm a driver fan AND a team fan.

 

[Bill Boddy]

I actually think most people cheer for a certain team or a certain brand, not a driver.

Then why is the Hamilton thread at 6,513 replies so much longer than the McLaren thread at 3,276 replies?

 

[Greenlantern101]

Driverless Roborace car crashes at speed in Buenos Aires - BBC News

 

[RasputinLives]

Wish there was footage.

Also at the end of the article is says the winning Roborace car managed to avoid hitting a dog. No mention as to whether the dog had somehow got on the track or if it was sent out there deliberately to see if the skynet robocar cared enough to avoid it.

 

[Greenlantern101]

RasputinLives The photo is in the article.

Dom Deluise in the white shirt and the dog look like they were the only things watching the 'race'