Join Cisco and our partners at the Indy Autonomous Challenge!

Cisco returns as presenting sponsor of the Indy Autonomous Challenge 2022

Cisco recently renewed our sponsorship of the Indy Autonomous Challenge Powered by Cisco for 2022. This exciting event will be held November 11 at the Texas Motor Speedway in Ft. Worth, Texas.

This year, like last, university student teams have developed autonomous driving systems using lidar, sensors, and cameras to compete at high speeds and push the edge of innovation. Cisco technology is connecting and powering it all! We are pleased to be showcasing that technology at the event, along with our partners, including Intel, TD Synnex, Prism Systems, and others.

At the Indy Autonomous Challenge, Cisco will enable critical in-vehicle and car-to-trackside connectivity with Dallara AV-21 racecars using Cisco’s ultra-low latency wireless technology for the head-to-head autonomous racecar competition, in which nine IAC teams will compete.

The competition will be fast! In April, 2022, a Dallara AV-21 race car, connected using Cisco Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul and Cisco industrial switching technology, set a new world record for the fastest autonomous car, sustaining speeds of over 192.2 MPH/309.3 KPH for 1,000 meters at the Kennedy Space Center.

Cisco is empowering student innovation to further autonomous development and improve vehicle safety and performance. You couldn’t ask for a more ideal testing and proving ground to push the boundaries of innovation than the Indy Autonomous Challenge. To inspire a new generation of researchers and engineers, Cisco will host local area students in a STEM Zone at the Indy Autonomous Challenge. Student participants will view interactive exhibitions in the infield of Texas Motor Speedway, interact with IAC university teams, and then watch the Indy Autonomous Challenge Powered by Cisco, live from the pits!

How is autonomous racing relevant to roads? Factories? Ports? Mines? Theme parks?!

The technologies that students are developing for the Indy Autonomous Challenge are applicable to improving autonomous operations across industries. This is where Cisco comes in. Whether its automated guided vehicles on a factory floor or logistics terminal, driverless trains, tele-remote operations in mining or ports, or even autonomous vehicles on a theme park ride, autonomous operations hinge on the network’s ability to instantly and securely deliver large amounts of data. Cisco solutions can do just that, while delivering reliable connectivity at high speeds and at scale.

Here are some examples where autonomous vehicles are used today:

Manufacturing and logistics: Automated storage and retrieval systems, autonomous guided vehicles, and robots improve efficiencies.
Port and terminal operations: Autonomous guide vehicles, ship-to-shore transfer cranes, and rubber tire gantry cranes speed operations.
Railways: Driverless trains using communications-based train control are crucial for passenger safety and smooth traffic flow.
Mining: Tele-remote control systems and autonomous vehicles for underground mining help keep people safe.

Cisco is working with our customers across multiple industries to help them use autonomous operations to deliver business outcomes – in ports, mines, factories, and even theme parks. On November 11, you can see an example of this innovation in action – and at speed – at the Texas Motor Speedway with the Indy Autonomous Challenge Presented by Cisco! Are you a Cisco partner or customer interested in learning more? Contact indy-autonomous-challenge@cisco.com and explore the below resources. See you there!