Latest news with #JohnHennessey
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Maserati Sets Self-Driving Car World Speed Record in AI-Driven MC20
Maserati's MC20 supercar racked up a fair bit of acclaim when it launched back in 2021, but now, it's entered the record books for an unexpected reason: the MC20 has become the world's fastest autonomous vehicle. Piloted solely by artificial intelligence driver software, the car hit a top speed of 197.7 mph — 4.9 mph faster than any self-driving car has ever gone before. The record-breaking feat was done at the Space Florida Launch and Landing Facility, a.k.a. the LLF, located at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. At 2.8 miles in length, the LLF has one of the longest runways in the world, which makes it the perfect place to test top speed runs. (Just ask John Hennessey.) Hence why the Indy Autonomous Challenge, or IAC, chose the LLF for the site of this top speed challenge, which was a collaboration with Italian university Politecnico di Milano, Maserati and the 1000 Miglia Experience Florida. 'These world speed records are much more than just a showcase of future technology; we are pushing AI-driver software and robotics hardware to the absolute edge," Paul Mitchell, CEO of IAC, said in a statement. "Doing so with a streetcar is helping transition the learnings of autonomous racing to enable safe, secure, sustainable, high-speed autonomous mobility on highways." The Maserati MC20 Coupe is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 that makes 621 horsepower. According to the carmaker, the top speed of the car with a human driver on board is 202 mph. The fact that an AI-powered robo-driver got so close to the top speed of the MC20 Coupe is a rather staggering achievement. A Maserati MC20 Cielo convertible was also on hand, joining in the convoy of cars taking part in the 1000 Miglia Experience Florida rally. This particular example was otablen because it's the same car drove in the 2023 edition of the historical 1000 Miglia race in Italy, where it traveled approximately 60 kilometers (about 37 miles) in autonomous mode. Autonomous driving on a flat, straight, empty runway is one thing; navigating public roads is something else entirely. Either way, that technology seems to be getting closer to production every single day. That said, the thrill of a Maserati comes from actually driving it, right? You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
Reuters
04-03-2025
- Automotive
- Reuters
MIPS shifts strategy toward robots and designing chips
March 4 (Reuters) - MIPS, a decades-old Silicon Valley company that once competed directly with Arm Holdings (O9Ty.F), opens new tab in providing a computing architecture, said on Tuesday it was shifting strategies to design a suite of chips for artificial intelligence-enabled robots. MIPS traces its roots back to the mid-1980s, when Stanford University Professor John Hennessey co-founded the firm to commercialize a nimbler way to carry out computing tasks, called a computing architecture. MIPS chips were known for processing data very quickly in specialized applications like networking gear and self-driving cars. The company traded through a succession of owners before licensing some of its technology for use in China and entering bankruptcy. But MIPS emerged from bankruptcy in 2021 and announced that it would focus using the RISC-V computing architecture, an open alternative to Arm, and won customers such as autonomous driving firm Mobileye (MBLY.O), opens new tab. Along the way, MIPS has always sold intellectual property to other firms who designed complete chips. MIPS said Tuesday that it is shifting strategies and will design its own chips, though it will still license technology as well. The company will focus on three key areas of robotics - chips that do sensing, chips that calculate which action for a robot to take next and chips that can control a robot's motors and actuators. Sameer Wasson, chief executive of MIPS, said those markets are expected to grow as recent advances in AI are applied to new areas such as humanoid robots. To win that business, it is better to show up with a working chip than a PowerPoint presentation, Wasson said, even if the end goal is a licensing deal. "It doesn't mean MIPS is going to overnight turn into a silicon company. I don't see that," Wasson told Reuters. "But I think we've got to give the ecosystem confidence that this can be done." Wasson said MIPS will initially focus on the automotive industry. "I expect this technology to be in a car towards the end of '27 and start to hit volume in the '28 timeframe," Wasson said, without naming specific customers.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Hennessey Reveals The Super Venom Mustang
Read the full story on Backfire News Texas tuning shop Hennessey has a reputation for pushing the envelope, and the newly revealed Super Venom Mustang follows that tradition faithfully. As the company says, this 'ultimate Hennessey Mustang' gives the best in power, aerodynamics, even looks for a vehicle which will impress many. Prominently featured on the car is a completely new, bespoke VenomAero kit made of carbon fiber. Not only do the components improve handling at speed, they're designed to enhance cooling. Among the additions is a duck bill integrated into the rear deck lid and a tall fixed rear wing, which might seem excessive to some. While the 5.0-liter Coyote V8 has been played with successfully by many, it's still impressive to see Hennessey has boosted the one for the Super Venom from 500-bhp to 850-bhp, a 70 percent increase in power. Torque has been dialed up 55 percent to 650 lb.-ft. at 4,900 rpm. According to Hennessey, the Super Venom can do 0 to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds, blowing away the Dark Horse, which does it in 3.7 seconds. It's also a ten-second car, running the quarter mile in 10.9 seconds at 133 mph versus the Dark Horse logging 12 seconds at 118.4 mph. With those performance specs, the Super Venom should really move. But if you want one, you'll have to be similarly fast. Hennessey says it's only make 91 units total. That number wasn't just pulled out of thin air but instead represents the company's founding in 1991. If you want one, you have to order a Super Venom through an authorized Hennessey Ford dealer. We don't expect these to last long, even with GT models priced at $149,950 and Dark Horse models going for $163,950. Buyers can add one of three bespoke liveries to their Super Venom in black, silver, or red. Founder and CEO of Hennessey Performance, John Hennessey, expressed excitement about this latest model. 'Over the years we have only branded our most potent cars with our 'Venom' trademark: Venom Vipers, Venom GT and most recently our Venom F5. We are excited to unveil our SUPER VENOM Mustang as it offers supercar performance and can now be ordered directly from Ford dealers with a full warranty! Further, we are excited to commemorate our company's founding in 1991 by offering only 91 units and a unique '91 Icon' livery.' Images via Hennessey Performance
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ford Gets Picky With The Mustang GTD
Read the full story on The Auto Wire Ford already has experience combatting car flippers, but people still seem surprised the Mustang GTD will be subject to a mountain of restrictions. It's almost like everyone has forgotten how selective and provisional the Ford GT buying process was just a few short years ago. Among the not-shocking details is an agreement in the purchase contract that keeps Ford Mustang GTD owners from selling the vehicle for the first two years of ownership. That's exactly the same as what Ford GT owners agreed to, so it's just not surprising in the least. On top of that, you can't just plunk down the cash and get a GTD, no. Ford is requiring prospective owners to apply for the privilege, just like it did with the GT supercar. And yes, the Blue Oval will opt to not sell the hopped-up pony cars to some people because it thinks they won't help promote the car's and brand's image. As Ford Authority, which was given this contractual information by a Ford insider, points out, many of those who are getting approved to own the Mustang GTD are celebrities. Among them are famous tuners like John Hennessey as well as some YouTubers. We imagine names from motorsports are also going to be in the exclusive circle of owners. In all honesty, compared to how Ferrari does business, this move with the Ford Mustang GTD is no big deal. Sure, some will argue since the vehicle costs beyond $300,000 anyone with the cash should be able to buy it, no questions asked. But the reality is Ford is using the street-legal racecar to boost its image further, and that won't be accomplished as well by letting just anyone buy the thing brand new. As the Mustang GTD starts going to owners, we'll see who bought what soon enough. Image via Ford Join our Newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube page, and follow us on Facebook.
