Latest news with #NVIDIAJetsonOrinNX
Al Etihad
16-04-2025
- Automotive
- Al Etihad
AI triumphs in world's most sophisticated autonomous drone race in Abu Dhabi
16 Apr 2025 18:51 ABU DHABI (WAM)The Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL), part of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), in collaboration with the Drone Champions League (DCL), concluded the inaugural A2RL x DCL Autonomous Drone Championship in the Middle East, at ADNEC Marina a major breakthrough for autonomous flight and aerial robotics, Team MavLab's AI drone outpaced a world-leading human pilot to win the AI vs Human Challenge. The head-to-head duel was the most complex ever staged, featuring finalists from the DCL Falcon Cup—some of the top drone pilots in the two high-intensity days, 14 international teams qualified for the final week, with the top four advancing to compete across multiple challenging race formats. Teams from the UAE, Netherlands, Austria, South Korea, the Czech Republic, Mexico, Turkiye, China, Spain, Canada and the USA represented a mix of university labs, research institutes, and startup team raced a standardised drone equipped with the compact yet powerful NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX computing module, a forward-facing camera, and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) for onboard perception and control. With no human input, the drones relied entirely on real-time processing and AI-driven decision-making to reach speeds exceeding 150 km/h through a complex race course design pushed the boundaries of perception-based autonomy, featuring wide gate spacing, irregular lighting, and minimal visual markers. The use of rolling shutter cameras further heightened the difficulty, testing each team's ability to deliver fast, stable performance under demanding conditions. This marked the first time an autonomous drone race of this scale and complexity was staged on such a visually sparse track, underscoring the ambition and technical challenge of the Highlights:● AI Grand Challenge Winner: MavLab (TU Delft) set the fastest time on the 170-meter course, completing two laps (22 gates) in just 17 seconds.● AI vs Human Showdown Winner: MavLab's autonomous drone outpaced top human pilot—in a landmark AI vs Human showdown.● Multi-Autonomous Drone Race Winner: TII Racing emerged victorious in the multi-drone format, in a high-speed test of AI coordination and collision avoidance.● Autonomous Drag Race Winner: MavLab (TU Delft) claimed victory in the world's first AI-only drag race, demonstrating straight-line speed and control under high acceleration against the championship's top teams.'At ATRC, we believe innovation must be proven in the real world, not just promised,' said Faisal Al Bannai, Adviser to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs, and Secretary-General of ATRC.'A2RL is more than a race, it's a global testbed for high-performance autonomy and reflects the UAE's commitment to advancing AI, robotics, and next-gen mobility responsibly," he said added.'The future of flight doesn't live in a lab – it lives on the racetrack. What we saw this weekend brings us closer to scaling autonomous systems in everyday life," said said Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE, the hosting entity of the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing Stampfer, Executive Chairman of DCL, added, 'We brought elite racing conditions to autonomous flight—and the AI rose to the challenge. This was a major leap for both sport and technology.'Ecstatic after clinching three top titles, Christophe De Wagter, team principal of MavLab, shared 'Winning the AI Grand Challenge and the AI vs Human race is a huge milestone for our team. It validates years of research and experimentation in autonomous flight. To see our algorithms outperform in such a high-pressure environment and take home the largest share of the prize pool, is incredibly rewarding." The A2RL X DCL Drone STEM Programme, designed in collaboration with UNICEF and under the supervision of the ATRC, has trained over 100 Emirati students this year. Over 60 percent earned the prestigious Trusted Operator Programme certification, and 24 achieved perfect scores, showcasing the cutting-edge aviation skills being developed as part of the programme.
What's On
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
Experience a thrilling, world-first drone racing event in Abu Dhabi
Sponsored: They'll even race against humans… Abu Dhabi is set to host a groundbreaking fusion of technology, speed, and entertainment as the A2RL x DCL Autonomous Drone Championship flies into ADNEC Marina Hall on April 11 and 12. This high-energy event will feature a new era of drone racing where artificial intelligence takes centre stage. Powered by NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX modules, these drones fly completely autonomously—no pilots, no remote controls—just cutting-edge AI guiding every twist, turn, and high-speed manoeuver. Plus theres $1 million dollars up for grabs. The championship will include four exhilarating races, including the fan-favourite 'AI vs Human' race, which pits top-tier first-person view (FPV) drone pilots against clever AI systems. It's a one-of-a-kind battle between human skill and machine precision, sure to captivate tech enthusiasts, racing fans, and curious minds alike. But the excitement doesn't stop at the racing track. Visitors can expect a full weekend experience packed with futuristic performances, immersive DJ sets, interactive gaming zones, and family-friendly activities designed to entertain and inspire audiences of all ages. This events runs alongside the A2RL Summit 2.0, which also brings the brightest minds and global pioneers from the incredible fields of artificial intelligence, motorsports, gaming, and mobility, further cementing Abu Dhabi's position as a hub for innovation and next-generation experiences. Best of all, this adrenaline-pumping showcase is open to the public and completely free to attend. If you'd like to go, you must first pre-register to secure your spot as tickets are limited at what promises to be one of the most exciting tech events of the year. The A2RL x DCL Autonomous Drone Championship runs from 10am to 6pm on both days, offering a full schedule of races and entertainment. For registration and more information, check out the official website. > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Gulf Business
08-04-2025
- Automotive
- Gulf Business
AI takes flight: Abu Dhabi to host world's first all-autonomous drone race
Abu Dhabi is gearing up to host a groundbreaking moment in drone racing history as the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL), organised by ASPIRE, partners with the Drone Champions League (DCL) to launch the world's first AI-only drone racing finale. Taking place from 11–12 April 2025 at Marina Halls 1 & 2, ADNEC, the A2RL x DCL Autonomous Drone Championship will see 14 elite international teams compete in a series of high-speed, high-tech challenges — with no human pilots involved. Instead, drones powered by NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX modules will rely entirely on artificial intelligence to navigate, react, and win. A highlight of the event will be the 'AI vs Human' challenge , which pits top AI racing systems against the world's best drone pilots in a thrilling knockout showdown. The competition will test everything from deep learning and sensor fusion to drone agility and precision under unpredictable conditions—all for a $1 million prize pool . Running alongside the races, A2RL Summit 2.0 on 11 April will bring together global thought leaders in AI, robotics, and autonomous mobility to explore future innovations shaping our world. Open to the public and free to attend, the event is set to attract tech enthusiasts, drone racing fans, students, and families alike. Pre-registration is required at: Event details: 📍 Marina Halls 1 & 2, ADNEC, Abu Dhabi 🗓️ 11–12 April 2025 🕙 10 AM – 6 PM (both days) 🔗 With high-octane AI action and a future-focused summit, A2RL is set to redefine autonomous racing in the capital.
