ElementaryMBA

1. What is the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC), and when and where was its first race?

A NASCAR series for fully autonomous trucks; first race in Daytona, 2020A racing series for fully autonomous (SAE Level 4) race cars where university teams program identical Dallara cars; first race October 23, 2021 at the Indianapolis Motor SpeedwayAn IndyCar electric vehicle series; first race at Lucas Oil Stadium, 2023A drag racing series for self-driving cars; first race in Las Vegas, 2024

2. What are the four pillars of autonomous driving software, in the correct order?

Sensors, software, networks, displaysPerception, Prediction, Planning, ControlDetection, Decision, Direction, DeliverySee, Think, Plan, Drive

3. What is sensor fusion, and why does it matter for autonomous race cars?

Combining two engines into one; matters because more power means faster carsCombining data from multiple sensor types (LiDAR, radar, cameras, GPS, IMU) into one coherent picture; matters because each sensor has strengths and limitationsAdding sensors to existing cars; matters because cars need to be upgradedRemoving some sensors; matters because fewer sensors means less data to process

4. What is Purdue AI Racing (PAIR), and what is its Indiana connection?

A robotics company in West LafayettePurdue University's team in the Indy Autonomous Challenge, led by principal investigator Dan Williams, based at Dallara's headquarters in Speedway, IndianaA high school esports leagueA NASCAR junior development team

5. When did the IndyCar Series introduce its hybrid powertrain, and what does it add to the cars?

2020, at the Indianapolis 500, ~20 hpJuly 7, 2024, at the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio, ~60 hp (or up to 120+ hp combined with Push-to-Pass)2025, at the Long Beach Grand Prix, ~200 hp2018, at Texas Motor Speedway, ~30 hp

6. Why does the IndyCar hybrid system use SUPERCAPACITORS instead of lithium-ion batteries?

Supercapacitors are cheaperSupercapacitors can charge and discharge much faster (4.5 seconds for the full system); they are also safer in a crash; they operate at lower voltage (48V instead of 200-400V); they last longer over many charge cyclesSupercapacitors are required by the FIASupercapacitors weigh less than batteries

7. What is the Purdue evGrand Prix, and when did it start?

An autonomous racing series at IMS, started in 2021Purdue's electric karting competition with collegiate, high school, and autonomous divisions; founded in 2009, first race April 18, 2010A Formula 1 development program, started in 2015An IndyCar testing series, started in 2018

8. Who was the Lady Elizabeth team, and why is their 2024 victory significant?

An IndyCar team that won the 2024 Indianapolis 500; significant because it was the first British teamA Purdue evGrand Prix collegiate team with crew chief Sophia Hester and driver Tatum Langston; first all-female team to win either the electric or gas Purdue Grand Prix in 2024A NASCAR team based in North Carolina; significant for sponsorship reasonsA Formula E team; significant for being all-women

9. What are the FOUR Speedway Patterns identified in Episode 12 as the synthesis of Season 1?

Speed, money, danger, fame(1) Innovation Under Pressure, (2) Indiana Is the Place, (3) Doors Open Slowly Then Quickly, (4) Business Built on SpectacleEngineering, racing, business, culturePast, present, future, eternity

10. What is the Yard of Bricks, and what does its preservation since 1961 represent?

A trophy presented to Indy 500 winnersA 3-foot strip of original 1909 paving bricks at the start-finish line, the only part not paved over in 1961; represents the connection between the founding history of the IMS and the present-day races, with winners traditionally kissing the bricksA bar in downtown IndianapolisA children's museum exhibit

Episode 12 — Quiz