Hexagon's AutonomouStuff and NovAtel sponsor Indy Autonomous Challenge

Companies will support 30 university teams programming race cars to compete in the first autonomous high-speed race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in October 2021

AutonomouStuff and NovAtel, both companies in Hexagon's Autonomy & Positioning brand portfolio, have announced their support for the Indy Autonomous Challenge, the $1.5M university prize competition to program modified Dallara IL-15 race cars and compete in the world's first autonomous head-to-head race at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The university teams will race their autonomous vehicles at speeds up to 200 mph to advance autonomous vehicle technology and safety.


As a vehicle sponsor, AutonomouStuff will donate services and equipment as a part of its mission to enable, accelerate and deploy the future of mobility. NovAtel joins AutonomouStuff in donating precise positioning systems and autonomy systems integration for all race cars participating in the challenge.

AutonomouStuff also is assisting students from Clemson University's Deep Orange-12 as they design and retrofit the Dallara IL-15 race car. Engineers from AutonomouStuff and NovAtel will be on the ground providing technical support as teams led by 500+ students go head-to-head on the world's largest racing stage.

"We could not pass up an opportunity to assist with the Indy Autonomous Challenge and be a part of this historic endeavor," said Lee Baldwin, director of off-road autonomy at Hexagon | AutonomouStuff. "NovAtel was involved with supplying GNSS systems to the DARPA Grand Challenge event in the mid-2000s, and AutonomouStuff supplies drive-by wire vehicles to universities and leading companies. We are thrilled to lend our skills to the Clemson design team, as well as donating high-precision GNSS systems and SMARTNET GPS correction subscriptions to all race teams. AutonomouStuff and NovAtel are looking forward to work together to bring the autonomy systems on all of the racecars and to participate in the race at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway in October of 2021."

The Indy Autonomous Challenge features a $1.5 million prize for the winning team, and the engineering challenges that must be solved in order to successfully complete the race could increase performance and safety for autonomous passenger vehicles and other applications that will be part of the future of mobility.

"The students competing in the IAC are attempting to develop answers to incredibly complex problems," said Matt Peak, managing director of Energy Systems Network, a primary organizer of the IAC. "The industry expertise and top-of-the-line technology from AutonomouStuff and NovAtel are invaluable tools to help our teams along the way."

About Hexagon
Hexagon is a global leader in sensor, software and autonomous solutions. The company puts data to work to boost efficiency, productivity, and quality across industrial, manufacturing, infrastructure, safety, and mobility applications.

Its technologies are shaping urban and production ecosystems to become increasingly connected and autonomous — ensuring a scalable, sustainable future.

Hexagon's Autonomy & Positioning division is a global technology leader, pioneering end-to-end solutions for assured positioning for land, sea, and air. Its solutions power intelligent positioning ecosystems in vital industries and safety-of-life applications, enabling the advancement of the Autonomous X (cars, UAVs, industrial vehicles, trains, vessels, and more). The division includes leading brands NovAtel, Veripos, and AutonomouStuff.

Hexagon (Nasdaq Stockholm: HEXA B) has approximately 20,000 employees in 50 countries and net sales of 4.4bn USD. Learn more at hexagon.com and follow us @HexagonAB.

About AutonomouStuff
AutonomouStuff, part of Hexagon, is a global technology leader, pioneering solutions for R&D platforms, products, software and engineering services for the advancement of robotics and autonomy systems. Learn more at https://autonomoustuff.com.

About NovAtel
NovAtel, part of Hexagon, is a global technology leader, pioneering end-to-end solutions for assured positioning for land, sea, and air. NovAtel designs, manufactures and sells high precision positioning technology developed for efficient and rapid integration. Its solutions are empowering intelligent positioning ecosystems in vital industries that depend on the ability to tackle the most complex challenges in the most demanding environments. Learn more at novatel.com.

Featured Product

PI USA - Mini Hexapods Applied in Optics, Microscopy, Radiology

PI USA - Mini Hexapods Applied in Optics, Microscopy, Radiology

Six degrees of freedom make hexapods extremely versatile motion and positioning systems. We report on the latest use cases in structured microscopy, fabrication of optical elements, and radionuclide therapy.