Formula E to launch driverless robotic car championship “Roborace” next year
Formula E, the electric car racing series, is to stage a race between driverless robotic cars as early as next year.
The FIA-backed series, which features high-profile racers such as Nelson Piquet Jr, will launch a series of robotic cars to compete in a global championship called Roborace.
Roborace events will be staged before Formula E races on the same circuits and will pit 10 teams, with two cars each, against each other.
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Forumla E will announce the teams and technologies involved next year and says the first race could be staged not long after.
Formula E chief executive Alejandro Agag said the partnership was one of the "most cutting-edge sporting events in history":
Roborace is an open challenge to the most innovative scientific and technology-focused companies in the world. It is very exciting to create a platform for them to showcase what they are capable of.