Roborace, the
world’s first race to feature electric, driverless cars, has tapped
Michelin to supply the tires for the cars that will race in its first
season.
“Driverless technology is coming, and we want
to be at the forefront in terms of research and development,”
Michelin Motorsport Director Pascal Couasnon said. “Roborace now
provides us with a unique opportunity to apply our expertise and
know-how to the world of autonomous cars. Michelin wants to help
shape the future, not just be a part of it.”
Michelin
has been developing the tires for the so-called “Robocars” in secret at its testing facilities.
The tires must be capable of handling the unique demands of the race,
but also need to be suitable for standard cars, since the company
expects driverless technology to be commonplace in the near
future.
“We expect our partners to be bold and to
believe in a driverless future where our cities are greener, safer,
quieter and smarter in ways that improve everyday lives,”
Roborace CEO Denis Sverdlov said. “Michelin impressed us every time
we met, and they deeply understand the powerful opportunity of what
road travel will become.”
Michelin is the third global
partner to be named by Roborace, along with Charge and Nvidia, which
will supply the racing series with power electronics and Drive PX2
technology, respectively. The first Roborace is expected to be held later this year.
