AI-Powered Maserati Shatters Speed Record

An AI-driven Maserati MC20 has set a new autonomous vehicle speed record, reaching an astonishing 197.7 mph at Kennedy Space Center.

Imagine this: a Maserati MC20, but with no one behind the wheel, just pure artificial intelligence, tearing up the tarmac at a mind-blowing 197.7 mph (that’s 318 kph for the metric fans) at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Yeah, you read that right. The setting? Space Florida’s Launch and Landing Facility, a place that’s seen its fair share of Space Shuttle landings – now adding ‘host to a speed demon AI Maserati’ to its resume.

Under the hood, this beast packs a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, churning out 621 horsepower. But here’s the kicker: it was tweaked to drive itself, thanks to some seriously smart AI driver software cooked up by the brainiacs at the PoliMOVE-MSU team. These folks are part of the Artificial Intelligence Driving Autonomous crew at Politecnico di Milano – because, of course, it takes Italians to make a Maserati even more legendary.

This isn’t just any record; it’s a collaboration masterpiece involving the Indy Autonomous Challenge, Politecnico di Milano, Maserati, and the 1000 Miglia Experience Florida, smashing the previous 192.8 mph record set back in 2022. Paul Mitchell, the big boss at Indy Autonomous Challenge, couldn’t stop gushing about how this is a giant leap toward making high-speed autonomous travel not just a reality, but a safe and sustainable one. (Though, let’s be real, we’re probably not seeing these speeds on your morning commute anytime soon.)

Now, sure, the record run was on a straight shot with no pesky turns, traffic lights, or pedestrians to dodge. But keeping a car under control at nearly 200 mph with no human at the wheel? That’s some next-level AI wizardry. Exciting? Absolutely. Practical for your daily drive? Maybe in a future where roads and safety tech have caught up to our need for speed.