Cranfield University and Cranfield Simulation exhibited at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. Our stand showcased the Cranfield/Siemens autonomous hillclimb challenge and our motion cued motorsport simulators. This displayed how Cranfield is developing the next generation of motorsport, automotive and mechatronics engineers through innovative postgraduate courses.
Siemens Autonomous Hillclimb
To celebrate the silver jubilee year of the Festival of Speed at Goodwood, Siemens partnered with Cranfield University to fit out a classic car with autonomous vehicle technology and successfully attempted the hillclimb, bringing together autonomous and classic! We combined our engineering with our enjoyment of cars, and together with a small team of staff and current MSc students, integrated a suite of state of the art sensors and control algorithms into a classic car. The project was born of “Because we can”, it’s fun, and a perfect celebration for Goodwood’s 25th Anniversary.
Dr James Brighton, Senior Lecturer at Cranfield, said: “Goodwood offers us a chance to reflect on why we have an emotional connection with cars and acts as a reminder that humans like to be engaged and part of the action. The Siemens Autonomous Hillclimb challenge project connects the classic spirit of automotive adventure with advanced technology.”
Juergen Maier, CEO Siemens UK & Ireland, said: “To help celebrate Goodwood’s 25th year anniversary, we’ve partnered with Cranfield University to bridge the gap between the legacy of the automotive industry while pointing to the future of autonomy in terms of both motoring and wider industrial applications.
“Customising a 1965 Ford Mustang with autonomous technologies, we’re going to attempt the famous hillclimb autonomously for the first time in Goodwood’s history.
“With digitalisation already everywhere, our aspiration will allow guests to take an awe-inspiring look into the future and experience the technology of tomorrow, today as a means of ensuring UK plc is at the forefront of a technology-led revolution like no other before it.“
