The Mercedes Formula 1 team will evaluate the use of a laser detection system on its Safety Car in partnership with automotive technology company Luminar.
The new strategic collaboration will leverage Luminar’s existing partnership with Mercedes-Benz. Luminar has also already been working with Volvo and Nissan in developing its road-going systems for autonomous driving.
The company’s LiDAR, Light Detection and Ranging, technology will be implemented on Mercedes’ official FIA Safety Car beginning in 2024 to further development of the system.
LiDAR technology uses lasers to create a highly detailed 3D map of the surrounding environment while AI software enables precise object detection at higher speeds and under adverse driving conditions.
It is claimed that Luminar’s product can detect debris to a range of 250m ahead and larger objects at up to 500m.
Once operational, the system will be fitted to the roofline of the Mercedes AMG GT Black Series Safety Car for race weekends, relaying extra information regarding track conditions to race control, subject to FIA approval.
Mercedes state that the sensor would “create a real-time 3D map of the environment ahead of the Safety Car, notably enhancing the Safety Car driver’s ability to assess the situation on the track while maintaining the required high speeds.”
“I am delighted that we have launched this new partnership with Luminar,” said Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff.
“I have been thoroughly impressed by their journey so far, their technology and the work they have done. It is a truly thrilling and innovative area which will have far-reaching implications for the automotive industry and mobility more generally.
“Our collaboration will utilise the initial development work between Luminar and Mercedes-Benz as a bedrock, and I am excited to see how we can build on that.”
Markus Schafer, Mercedes-Benz AG chief technology officer added that the partnership with the F1 wing is “a natnatural extension of Mercedes-Benz existing partnership with Luminar to help realise our vision for accident-free driving in Mercedes production cars.
“Mercedes-Benz has always been at the forefront of innovation and safety, and we look forward to continuing our development efforts with Luminar to bring this technology to our F1 team.“
“Luminar’s technology has always been about pushing the limits of performance while improving automotive safety – and with F1, Mercedes-AMG are taking it to the extreme on a world stage of automotive enthusiasts,” Luminar CEO Austin Russell explained.
“The same leading technology developed in partnership with Mercedes-Benz for their production cars will be shared with the Mercedes F1 team, demonstrating performance and safety advantages at any speed from the city, to the autobahn, to the track.“
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