In 2019, the McLaren Group attended KAUST's Winter Enrichment Program to discuss their extreme performance research partnership. McLaren representatives highlighted the importance of the partnership, providing access to KAUST's researchers and facilities while offering real-world applications for technologies. McLaren emphasized the need for continuous improvement in high-speed R&D to maintain a competitive edge. Why it matters: This partnership highlights KAUST's role in providing advanced research capabilities to cutting-edge industries, fostering innovation and practical application of research in demanding environments.
Extreme E racing series is collaborating with KAUST and the Ba'a Foundation to conserve endangered turtles in Saudi Arabia. Rising sea levels have led to a 90% mortality rate of turtle eggs in 2019, threatening the already endangered species. The collaboration aims to protect turtle nesting sites along the Red Sea coastline. Why it matters: This initiative highlights the potential for partnerships between sports, academia, and conservation organizations to address climate change impacts on vulnerable ecosystems in the region.
Researchers at the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) have released a fully-annotated dataset for autonomous drone racing, called "Race Against the Machine." The dataset includes high-resolution visual, inertial, and motion capture data from both autonomous and piloted flights, along with commands, control inputs, and corner-level labeling of drone racing gates. The specifications to recreate their flight platform using commercial off-the-shelf components and the Betaflight controller are also released. Why it matters: This comprehensive resource aims to support the development of new methods and establish quantitative comparisons for approaches in robotics and AI, democratizing drone racing research.
Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia are participating as Team TII-EuroRacing in the Autonomous Challenge at CES 2022 in Las Vegas. TII is also a premier sponsor of the event, which features head-to-head autonomous racecar competition at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Team TII-EuroRacing will compete with its DO12 racecar, a Dallara AV-21 retrofitted for automation, after making it to the finals at the Indy Autonomous Challenge in October 2021. Why it matters: This event highlights the UAE's commitment to advancing autonomous robotics and positions TII as a leader in the development of autonomous racing systems.