Advancing Automotive Safety and Performance on the Track
The Mercedes Formula 1 team is set to pioneer a new era of safety and performance with the integration of a laser detection system on its official FIA Safety Car in collaboration with automotive technology firm Luminar. Building on Luminar’s existing partnership with Mercedes-Benz, this strategic collaboration aims to enhance safety measures during F1 events while furthering the development of cutting-edge LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology.
Starting from the 2024 season, Luminar’s LiDAR technology will be integrated into the Mercedes AMG GT Black Series Safety Car. LiDAR employs lasers to generate highly detailed 3D maps of the surrounding environment, facilitating precise object detection even at high speeds and in challenging driving conditions. The system claims the ability to detect debris up to 250 meters ahead and larger objects at distances of up to 500 meters.
Subject to FIA approval, the LiDAR sensor will be mounted on the roofline of the Safety Car, offering real-time 3D mapping of the track environment. This advanced technology aims to empower the Safety Car driver with enhanced situational awareness, particularly when navigating at high speeds.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes Team Principal, expressed his excitement about the partnership, acknowledging the innovative strides made by Luminar. He sees the collaboration as an opportunity to leverage Luminar’s technology for the benefit of the automotive industry and mobility at large.
Markus Schafer, Chief Technology Officer at Mercedes-Benz AG, highlighted the partnership as a natural extension of their existing collaboration with Luminar, emphasizing their joint commitment to advancing safety measures and realizing the vision for accident-free driving.
Luminar CEO Austin Russell emphasized the significance of sharing leading technology, developed in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz for production cars, with the Mercedes F1 team. He sees this collaboration as an opportunity to showcase the performance and safety advantages of Luminar’s technology on a global stage, from city roads to high-speed tracks. As Formula 1 continues to push the boundaries of automotive innovation, this partnership aims to set new standards for safety and performance in the racing world.