A fully driverless Maserati MC20 Coupe has set a new land speed record for autonomous vehicles, reaching an astonishing 197.7 mph (318 km/h) at the Kennedy Space Center last week. This remarkable achievement surpasses the previous record of 192.2 mph, also held by the Indy Autonomous Challenge and PoliMOVE, set by an IAC AV-21 race car in April 2022.

The Maserati MC20 Coupe, running self-driving software developed by Politecnico di Milano, Italy's largest scientific-technological university, demonstrated its capabilities on the 2.8-mile runway at the Kennedy Space Center. The team behind the record-breaking run also worked with the Indy Autonomous Challenge, which recently participated in the Las Vegas Motor Speedway during CES 2025.

The significance of this achievement goes beyond just setting a new speed record. It's about stress-testing the reliability of the algorithms that undergird the autonomous driving system, determining how they manage extreme speeds. By pushing the boundaries, the team hopes to improve safety by applying their learnings to autonomous road vehicles operating on local roads.

Paul Mitchell, CEO of Indy Autonomous Challenge and Aidoptation BV, emphasized the importance of these world speed records, stating, "We are pushing AI-driver software and robotics hardware to the absolute edge. Doing so with a streetcar is helping transition the learnings of autonomous racing to enable safe, secure, sustainable, high-speed autonomous mobility on highways."

The Maserati MC20 Coupe, a stylish and expensive choice for the autonomous run, retails for at least $239,000. The race car sports a mid-mounted, twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine, producing 621 horsepower and 538 lb-ft of torque, which is sent through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to the rear wheels.

This achievement marks a significant milestone in the development of autonomous vehicles, demonstrating the potential for high-speed autonomous mobility on highways. As the technology continues to advance, we can expect to see further innovations in the field of autonomous vehicles, paving the way for safer and more efficient transportation systems.

In the context of the broader autonomous vehicle industry, this record-breaking run highlights the importance of pushing the boundaries of what is possible with autonomous technology. By testing the limits of autonomous vehicles, developers can identify areas for improvement, ultimately leading to more reliable and efficient systems.

As the world continues to move towards a future of autonomous mobility, achievements like this one serve as a reminder of the incredible potential of this technology. With ongoing innovations and advancements, we can expect to see significant changes in the way we travel, making transportation safer, more efficient, and more sustainable.