UVA’s Robot Race Car Wins in Record-Setting Fashion

September 9, 2024 By Traci Hale, vmv7mc@virginia.edu Traci Hale, vmv7mc@virginia.edu

Posting a top speed of more than 171 mph, the University of Virginia Cavalier Autonomous Racing team roared into the winners’ circle at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday, claiming the first victory for an American team in the speed trial portion of the Indy Autonomous Challenge.

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While UVA’s “CAVCAR” team had success earlier this year, taking second place in a major international race in Las Vegas, the team faced tough competition at the famed “Brickyard” from Germany, Korea and Italy, and other U.S. universities including Michigan State University, Purdue University, Auburn University and the University of California, Berkeley.

UVA School of Engineering and Applied Science professor Madhur Behl leads the CAVCAR’s team of students, who programmed the unmanned Indy racing car, built on a Dallara IL-15 chassis. The car clocked a record-setting lap time of 52.62 seconds around the famed oval track with an average speed of 171.011 mph – a new record at the speedway for an autonomous vehicle. In the final lap, the team hit a top speed of 184 mph while crossing the start-finish line. 

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For more details about the triumphant run, read the Engineering School’s in-depth coverage.

UVA Today accompanied the team to the historic racetrack and captured these images of preparations and performance.

The Cavalier Autonomous Racing team’s all kneeling kissing the ground

Members of UVA's "CAVCAR" team celebrate their victory by "kissing the bricks," a time-honored tradition for race winners at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)

The Cavalier Autonomous Racing Team’s autonomous racecar on the track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway employees hang a banner outside the Cavalier Autonomous Racing Team's trackside garage.
Professor Madhur Behl and a member of the Cavalier Autonomous Racing Team work on the autonomous racecar at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Professor Madhur Behl and members of the Cavalier Autonomous Racing Team behind their autonomous racecar at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The Cavalier Autonomous Racing Team pushes their autonomous racecar out to the track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Srikar Gouru, Nicolo Schianchi, Amar Kulkarni, Aron Harder, Trent Weiss, professor Madhur Behl, Jingyun Ning and Shreepa Parthaje pose with their autonomous racecar.
Close up of the cameras and sensors on the front of the University of Virginia’s autonomous racecar.
Detail shot of the hood of the University of Virginia’s autonomous racecar on the track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Professor Madhur Behl and the Cavalier Autonomous Racing Team members analyzing data at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
University of Virginia’s autonomous racecar speeding around the track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Professor Madhur Behl talks strategy with members of the Cavalier Autonomous Racing Team at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Professor Madhur Behl celebrates with members of the Cavalier Autonomous Racing Team.
The 1st place medal hanging from the neck of a Cavalier Autonomous Racing Team member.
The Cavalier Autonomous Racing Team celebrates in the Winner's Circle at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.