A2RL Project
Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League redefining future of extreme sport
The Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League, which took place at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi on April 27th 2024, has undoubtedly made a name for itself by defining a new type of motorsport without drivers.
8 teams from around the world have competed using state-of-the-art Dallara SF23 racecars equipped with a complex array of sensors, control modules, and actuators. Each team has then developed an advanced driving algorithm in order to make the cars able to race autonomously.
Meccanica 42 has been a key player in enabling this achievement: we supplied our first-class technology, that is our actuators for the autonomous driving system, together with the mid-level control unit.
This full set allowed to convert driving decisions and commands into actual actions on the driving systems (engine, brakes and steering system), ensuring every racecar’s peak performance on track.
Beyond mere provision, our team was passionately dedicated to providing unparalleled support to all participating teams.
Discover the Secrets of Success on Track
Let’s explore each product provided:
Our Corner Brake Actuators (CBA) open access to any brake-based function and calibration, ensuring a precise, independent and rapid management of the single brake line pressure. In this case, they were used to implement autonomous braking functions of the vehicle, commanded by the vehicle’s control logic. Despite being designed for human driving, they turned out to be really useful also for autonomous driving.
Our Pinon-type Steering Actuator (PSA), with its capability to facilitate the development of any autonomous steering function, stands out for its precise and autonomous management of the steering gear operating seamlessly in position, torque, or speed control modes. Control and actuation performance are at the forefront, as well as reliability, considering its resistence against the solicitations typical of racing cars.
Both CBAs and PSA ensured a high level of safety through the implementation of a robust fall-back strategy, to effectively handle emergency scenarios.
Our Body System Unit (BSU): an open control unit designed to simplify and expedite brake system management, empowering users to develop their own logic seamlessly. For the first time, it is used on autonomous vehicles to simplify the interface for the user. Moreover, it manages the entire drive-by-wire system, along with emergency strategy and power management, by perfectly integrating with other systems such as engine management units. Thanks to its versatility, it can implement both ABS and ESC logic, effortlessly reading speed values from wheel speed sensors and master cylinder pressures. This real-time control unit ensures the repeatability of control outputs, guaranteeing consistency in performance.
Â
Enabling Excellence
Â
Meccanica 42 is proud to have provided an exceptional support to the first competition of autonomous vehicles. As a leading supplier of advanced components, Meccanica 42 committed itself to offering cutting edge technology to ensure the best performances on track.
The mission was clear: enable the innovation and the leading engineering through the supply of first class technology. With competence and dedication, Meccanica 42 was able to make difficult solutions easy, facilitating the integration and optimization of the performances of autonomous vehicles.
The event marks the start of a new type of competition, but this is only the beginning. Work continues to shape the future of the automotive industry, pushing forward the boundaries of autonomous mobility.
The commitment is constant: Meccanica 42 will keep on providing support and innovative solutions to ensure that its technology remains at the top of the industry. Future challenges are going to be faced with enthusiasm and determination, with the aim to remain key enablers in the mobility sector.
