Abu Dhabi: Part of Advanced Technology Research Council, Aspire to host 2nd Autonomous Racing League
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)ASPIRE, the driving force behind grand challenges and global competitions for Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), has announced the return of its flagship event, the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL). The 2025 edition of Car will take place on November 15 at Yas Marina Circuit with a $2.25 million prize pool and the launch of a pioneering global virtual racing series.Following its debut in April 2024, which drew over 10,000 spectators and more than 1 million global streaming views, A2RL Season 2 is back with even greater ambition, expanded international participation, and a bold new platform to advance autonomous mobility.This year's league welcomes elite research teams from 10 countries, with the global roster expanding to include France and Japan for the first time, joining a strong line-up of returning teams from the USA, Germany, China, Singapore, Italy, and the UAE. As the world's most advanced competition for autonomous systems, A2RL continues to bridge the gap between simulation and real-world application.H.E. Faisal Al Bannai, Advisor to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs and Secretary General of ATRC, said: 'With A2RL, we're not just testing autonomous technology, we're accelerating its evolution in the most demanding conditions possible. It's a showcase of engineering excellence, but more importantly, a platform for the future of mobility. From high-speed racing to real-world applications, we are demonstrating what's possible when nations invest in deep tech innovation and challenge the world to think faster, build smarter, and compete responsibly.'Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE, added: 'By combining the physical thrill of racing with the precision of virtual testing, we're enabling the world's best minds to push the boundaries of AI. This year's expanded league reflects Abu Dhabi's commitment to challenge-driven innovation, where real-world impact is engineered at speed and scale.'The announcement was made during the Make it in the Emirates Forum in Abu Dhabi. The Emirates Autonomous Vehicle (EAV 24), A2RL's upgraded autonomous racecar, represents a significant leap in performance and engineering. Assembled and autonomised in the UAE, the vehicle reflects the nation's growing capabilities in AI, robotics, and high-performance mobility. Built on the proven Super Formula SF23 platform, the EAV-24 has been re-engineered to incorporate enhanced sensor arrays, upgraded computer systems, and refined control logic, optimised for the demanding conditions of autonomous racing.First unveiled in the inaugural race, the SF23 is built from sustainable bio-composite materials, weighs 690kg, and is the fastest open-wheel race car in the world after Formula One, reaching speeds of up to 300 kmph. Equipped with advanced braking systems, drive-by-wire throttle control, and a custom-built autonomous stack, the SF23 gives each team a state-of-the-art platform to adapt and optimise their AI driving algorithms in the pursuit of peak performance.A key innovation this season is the launch of A2RL SIM-Sprint. A series of virtual races designed to fast-track algorithm refinement and test AI systems in diverse conditions, the SIM Sprint extends A2RL into a year-round development ecosystem. By offering a consistent and controlled environment for experimentation, the SIM Sprint allows teams to accelerate the development of their autonomous driving algorithms beyond what is possible through real-world testing alone. It is especially valuable for tackling 'edge cases', rare or extreme scenarios that are difficult to replicate on track but are critical for building resilient AI.Over time, A2RL aims to open the SIM Sprint to a wider community of participants, including fans, independent developers, and aspiring teams worldwide. A structured progression system - from Sim Academy to Sim Pro, and eventually to real-world A2RL qualification - will provide new pathways for talent to enter the league and contribute to the future of high-performance autonomy.
Through ASPIRE and under the broader umbrella of ATRC, A2RL continues to position Abu Dhabi as a global leader in high-performance autonomy, transforming the way intelligent systems are developed, tested, and deployed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
3 hours ago
- Zawya
Car shipper says US tariff haze still affecting auto trade flows
Europe's car exporters are still struggling with uncertainty over U.S. tariffs despite last month's trade deal, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, the operator of one of the world's largest car-carrier fleets, told Reuters on Tuesday. The U.S. and European Union struck a trade deal in late July that saw U.S. import tariffs on most goods from Europe, including cars, set at 15%. Cars had initially faced a 27.5% levy after U.S. President Donald Trump hiked tariffs this year. However, the new 15% rate has not yet been implemented for cars, meaning that Wallenius customers such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo Cars still face the higher rate. The absence of an executive order from Trump lowering the autos tariff has left the industry holding its breath for potential last-minute changes. "So far we actually do not know exactly what the tariff level will be. Our customers do not know either, so it is too early to say what they'll do," Wallenius CEO Lasse Kristoffersen said following the company's quarterly results. While carmakers raced earlier this year to ship cars to the U.S. ahead of the tariff hike to 27.5%, the opposite happened at the start of the second quarter, Kristoffersen said. "We saw that they held more back in the start of the second quarter but that volumes increased throughout the quarter," he said. (Reporting by Marie Mannes. Editing by Terje Solsvik and Mark Potter)
Al Etihad
4 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi Youth Council launches Tharwa Initiative to empower youth
12 Aug 2025 15:09 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Abu Dhabi Youth Council has launched Tharwa, a pioneering initiative aimed at empowering youth financially, fostering a culture of saving and investment, and encouraging income diversification among young people across the Abu Dhabi initiative has been launched in partnership with a number of entities from both the public and private sectors, which will lead the first real estate-focused programme under the was officially launched during the Tharwa Forum, which welcomed key dignitaries and a group of engaged Emirati youth interested in the sector. During the forum, the council unveiled the first real estate programme under the Tharwa initiative contributes significantly to the national youth agenda, particularly in its mission to enhance economic and social stability and to empower a conscious generation capable of building a sustainable, knowledge-based, and opportunity-driven Tharwa Initiative focuses on developing youth financial literacy and economic competencies across multiple key areas, including: savings and financial awareness; investment and real estate brokerage; financial markets; small and medium enterprise (SME) accounting and Al Obaidli, Director of Youth Engagement and Chair of the Youth Councils System at the Federal Youth Authority, said: 'Tharwa supports the aspirations of youth and strengthens their role in building a sustainable economic future. Financial empowerment of Emirati youth is a critical step toward building a more sustainable and prosperous future." He added: "The Tharwa initiative serves as a model for this effort, not only raising financial awareness but also opening new doors for youth to actively participate in the national economy through investment, entrepreneurship, and independent work. These types of initiatives embody our leadership's vision to cultivate a financially literate generation capable of making smart economic decisions that ensure both individual stability and contribution to the country's long-term sustainable development.'Aisha Al Khulaifi, Project Manager of the Tharwa Initiative, said: 'Through Tharwa, we are translating the leadership's vision into practical programmes that equip youth with essential tools for managing their financial lives. Today, building a strong financial culture among youth is no longer optional; it's essential for shaping an economically aware generation that is ready to create opportunities and drive future growth.' The initiative will be implemented through hands-on programmes, specialised workshops, and targeted awareness sessions, conducted in collaboration with a distinguished network of experts and institutions across various sectors. This approach ensures that youth gain real-world experience that prepares them to compete and innovate in both labour and investment markets. Year of Community Continue full coverage
Al Etihad
5 hours ago
- Al Etihad
TRENDS Youth Council holds workshop on empowering young research leaders
12 Aug 2025 13:48 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)As part of the celebrations by TRENDS Research and Advisory of the International Youth Day, which falls on August 12 each year, the TRENDS Youth Council organised an interactive workshop titled 'Draw the Path of Your Leadership Journey'. The event aimed to build a shared youth vision, discuss opportunities and resources to empower young research leaders, strengthen their societal role, and contribute effectively to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The workshop was held in the conference hall at TRENDS' headquarters in Abu workshop brought together members of the TRENDS Youth Council, members of its Advisory Council, as well as several experts, academics, and focused on the characteristics of successful leadership personalities, ways to enhance youth empowerment in scientific research, and the development of innovative training programs to equip them with modern research tools. Participants also explored approaches to encourage youth openness to diverse cultures and communities, fostering dialogue and exchange with peers worldwide. Spaces for Constructive DialogueParticipants emphasised that TRENDS has provided them with an open platform to express their creative talents in research and demonstrate their leadership abilities in various administrative roles. This was made possible through the centre's ideal work environment, innovative training programs, and ample spaces for constructive dialogue and interaction with experts and specialists. Such opportunities have helped refine their leadership skills, nurture creative thinking, and enhance their ability to make accurate and bold decisions. Members of the TRENDS Youth Council stated that the workshop was part of TRENDS' ongoing efforts to support and empower youth, and to promote their active participation in research and community engagement. Discussions highlighted ways to develop leadership skills among young people and their vital role in achieving the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The workshop also reviewed key qualities of successful young leaders-creativity, flexibility, curiosity, courage, critical analysis, and decision-making stressing the importance of cultural openness, knowledge exchange, and active participation in regional and international youth forums. Leveraging AI Members of the TRENDS Youth Council said that the workshop also addressed methods to design specialised training programs to enable young researchers to master innovative scientific research tools and methodologies. This included the use of artificial intelligence, modern technologies, and data analysis, as well as proposing scientific solutions to contemporary global issues and societal and environmental underscored the importance of raising youth awareness of the SDGs and their pivotal role in achieving them through research initiatives, volunteer work, constructive dialogue, and the exchange of scientific and practical expertise among youth from around the world. Such efforts aim to advance development and tackle shared global challenges. A Sustainable Forward-Looking Vision Members of the Advisory Council to the TRENDS Youth Council noted that the interactive workshop reaffirmed TRENDS' commitment to its mission and sustainable, forward-looking vision of building youth capacity, empowering them academically and intellectually, and preparing a generation of researchers capable of leading development efforts in the stressed that youth empowerment is at the core of TRENDS' priorities and global research strategy, reflecting the belief that young people are the foundation of the future, the drivers of development, and the builders of tomorrow. TRENDS continues to train young people with the latest research tools, enhance their leadership skills, and provide opportunities to advance their creative abilities and contribute to decision-making. This is achieved through launching youth-focused initiatives that emphasise innovation and sustainable entrepreneurship. The Advisory Council members concluded by noting that TRENDS' diverse research and training programs aim to build a generation of youth who are well-informed about regional and global issues, capable of leading scientific and practical discussions with confidence and boldness. They highlighted that the achievements of the TRENDS Youth Council members already stand as inspiring examples in their respective fields. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
