Indy Autonomous Challenge Sets New Autonomous Speed Record with Maserati MC20

The Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC) and Politecnico di Milano have set a new autonomous driving speed record with a Maserati MC20 Coupe, reaching 198.2 mph (319 km/h) during the 1000 Miglia Experience Florida at the Kennedy Space Center. The event was conducted as part of MOST, Italy’s National Center for Sustainable Mobility, which focuses on research and innovation in eco-friendly transportation.  

The record was achieved at the Space Florida Launch and Landing Facility (LLF) at the Kennedy Space Center, a location known for its 15,000-foot runway previously used for NASA Space Shuttle landings. The facility has since evolved into a hub for aerospace research, manufacturing, and testing.  

The AI driver software was developed by the PoliMOVE-MSU team, part of the Artificial Intelligence Driving Autonomous (AIDA) division at Politecnico di Milano. The modified Indy Autonomous Challenge Maserati MC20 Coupe, operating without a human driver, reached 197.7 mph (318 km/h), surpassing the previous record of 192.8 mph set by Indy Autonomous Challenge and PoliMOVE in April 2022 with an IAC AV-21 racecar. This test follows a prior record set by the same Maserati MC20 Coupe, which reached 285 km/h (177 mph) at Piacenza Military Airport in November 2024.  

The trials were conducted to evaluate the behavior of autonomous systems in high-speed conditions, assessing stability, reaction times, and overall reliability. The research aims to enhance the development of artificial intelligence for autonomous driving, contributing to improvements in highway safety and urban mobility.  

Following the record-setting test, a Maserati MC20 Cielo convertible from Politecnico di Milano joined the 1000 Miglia Experience Florida. The vehicle, which participated in the 2023 edition of the 1000 Miglia race, previously covered approximately 60 km in autonomous mode across Italy and is now being showcased in the United States.  

The collaboration between Indy Autonomous Challenge, Politecnico di Milano, Maserati, and 1000 Miglia Experience Florida is part of ongoing research into autonomous driving technology. The data gathered from these trials supports advancements in high-speed vehicle automation and contributes to the broader development of autonomous mobility solutions for commercial and urban applications.