Imagine a world where your car can handle itself in a skid or slide just as skillfully as a professional drifter. This vision is becoming a reality thanks to groundbreaking work by Toyota Research Institute (TRI) and Stanford Engineering. The recent successful tandem drifting of two autonomous Toyota Supras isn't a precursor to a new racing series but a significant leap toward enhancing vehicle safety through advanced crash avoidance systems.
The project saw two Supras equipped with sophisticated computers and sensors capable of controlling the steering, throttle, and brakes independently. Each car was programmed differently: TRI developed the lead car's ability to drift along a pre-determined path, while Stanford engineered the chase car to dynamically adapt to the lead vehicle, maintaining a synchronized drift without collision.
Avinash Balachandran, vice president of TRI's Human Interactive Driving division, explained, "This new technology can kick in precisely in time to safeguard a driver and manage a loss of control, just as an expert drifter would."
Most drivers lack the training to recover a skidding or sliding car safely. With only a split second to react, even experienced drivers can find themselves in dangerous situations. The autonomous drift system aims to bridge this gap by taking over control during critical moments, potentially saving lives by preventing accidents caused by loss of control.
While the sight of autonomous cars drifting in tandem is undoubtedly thrilling, the real-world applications are even more exciting. Researchers are using insights from this project to develop new methods of vehicle control, particularly in challenging conditions like driving on ice. This technology could revolutionize how cars handle adverse conditions, making everyday driving safer for everyone.
Modern vehicles are already equipped with numerous safety features that make them more aware and reactive to their surroundings than ever before. However, these systems are not infallible. Toyota and Stanford's innovative work with autonomous drifting cars addresses some of the existing limitations, paving the way for more robust crash avoidance systems.
We're still a few years away from fully autonomous vehicles dominating the roads, but advancements like these bring us closer to that future. By integrating pro-level drifting skills into autonomous systems, Toyota and Stanford are not just pushing the boundaries of automotive technology—they're also making significant strides toward reducing traffic accidents and enhancing overall road safety.
The collaboration between Toyota Research Institute and Stanford Engineering showcases how cutting-edge technology can make driving safer. The ability of autonomous systems to handle complex maneuvers like drifting could be a game-changer in vehicle safety, providing drivers with an added layer of protection during critical moments. As researchers continue to refine these systems, the future of driving looks not only more advanced but also significantly safer.
Wael is an automotive content writer specializes in creating written content for Motor 283. Producing a wide range of content, including blog posts, articles, product descriptions, reviews, and technical guides related to cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other vehicles, with an unprecedented passion for cars, and motorcycles.
Nissan Formula E Team is excited to announce a four-year global partnership with Petromin Corporation, a leading mobility solutions provider in the Middle East. The partnership will be primarily focused on the company’s EV charging subsidiary, Electromin, as the business looks ahead to a wider adoption of electric mobility in the region.
The Mercedes-AMG ONE has been the fastest production car on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife since October 2022 and has been unrivalled ever since. The only rival is the ONE itself. Now Mercedes AMG brand ambassador and DTM driver Maro Engel has once again significantly improved the lap time he set. With an officially measured and notarised time of 6:29.090 minutes for the 20.832-kilometre track, the hypercar with Formula 1™ technology beat its own record for production vehicles by over five seconds. This makes the Mercedes AMG ONE the first road car to beat the magic mark of 6:30 minutes. It is also the only series hybrid hypercar to date to have taken on the world's most demanding racetrack and is the undisputed leader in the super-sports-car class. In order to achieve the lofty goals they had set for themselves, meticulous preparation was necessary. In addition, the track conditions had to be ideal in order to beat the 6:30 minute target. On September 23, 2024, at 6:56 p.m., on his third timed lap, Maro Engel achieved the new record. With temperatures of 15 degrees Celsius (air) and 20 degrees Celsius (asphalt), the legendary Nordschleife was dry throughout and offered perfect grip.
Like Lewis Hamilton and George Russell on their Formula 1™ race weekends, Maro Engel also had to make the best possible use of the hybrid drive's electrical energy. This is particularly challenging, especially with a track length of more than 20 kilometres. Therefore, it is immensely important to use the right sections of the track to recuperate during braking phases and thus store energy in the batteries again.
To do this, Maro Engel utilised the AMG ONE's four-stage Energy Flow Control (EFC) system and in some cases deliberately took his foot off the accelerator a little earlier than he normally would. In technical jargon, this is known as “lift and coast”. Preliminary tests in the driving simulator in Affalterbach and on the Nordschleife itself provided the necessary insights, which the team and driver were able to optimally implement for the record lap. In accordance with the specifications of Nürburgring 1927 GmbH & Co KG, the vehicle was tested and documented by TÜV Rheinland to ensure that it was in standard condition. A notary confirmed that the record drive had been carried out correctly.
The new Aston Martin Vantage GT3 heads into this weekend’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA) finale – the Petit Le Mans 10-hour race at Road Atlanta – deep in the hunt for its first major title.
The new Aston Martin Vantage GT3 has enjoyed a stellar debut season of international competition. The car recorded a historic victory in the centenary edition of the Crowdstrike 24 Hours of Spa in June, a first for the British ultraluxury sportscar brand in the modern GT era. It also achieved Aston Martin’s first ever Autobacs Super GT class victory in Japan in the same month. As well as this, Vantage has clinched class wins in the FIA World Endurance Championship, IMSA, the Nürburgring Langstrecken Series and ADAC GT Masters through the summer.
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