PoliMOVE’s Maserati MC20 Breaks Autonomous Speed Record at 318 km/h

An autonomous Maserati MC20, developed by PoliMOVE and tested at Kennedy Space Center, reached a record 318 km/h (197.7 mph). Discover the details of this groundbreaking achievement.

The worlds of high-speed performance and cutting-edge technology collided at the Kennedy Space Center’s Launch and Landing Facility (USA), where an autonomous Maserati MC20 reached a record-breaking speed of 318 km/h (197.7 mph) without a driver on board. This milestone was achieved through the collaboration between PoliMOVE, a team from the Polytechnic University of Milan, and the organizers of the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC).

The test took place as part of the 1000 Miglia Experience Florida, a showcase for cutting-edge autonomous vehicle technology. Originally powered by a formidable 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, the Maserati MC20 underwent specific modifications for this extreme-speed trial, though exact technical details have not been disclosed.

At the core of this achievement is the autonomous driving system developed within the AIDA (Artificial Intelligence Driving Autonomous) project. The system integrates modules for perception, geolocation, planning, and control. GNSS sensors, cameras, LiDARs, and radars enable the vehicle to navigate its environment and make real-time driving decisions—a crucial capability when operating at such high speeds.

This record-breaking run surpasses the previous mark of 192.8 mph, set in 2022 by the IAC AV-21 race car. PoliMOVE has already demonstrated expertise in pushing the limits of autonomous speed—back in 2024, their MC20 reached 285 km/h (177 mph) on a military airstrip in Piacenza, Italy.

The development of autonomous systems under extreme conditions holds promise for safer and more precise driving in everyday scenarios. These trials highlight the potential for adapting high-speed autonomous technology to consumer vehicles, although there are no current plans for commercialization.

Historically, autonomous vehicles have achieved various speed records, but the accomplishments of Maserati and PoliMOVE mark a significant step forward for production-based cars capable of extreme acceleration without human intervention.

Source: electriccarsreport.com