Motorsport
Human vs. machine: Nicki Shields takes on Roborace's Devbot
Published 0847 GMT (1647 HKT) December 20, 2017
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Nicki Shields poses with her rival, the AI race car DevBot at the Hong Kong ePrix earlier in December. CNN
She took part in a unique challenge -- a time trial against an autonomous car around a street circuit. © Spacesuit Media
The "Human vs. machine" challenge pitted an autonomous race car against a human driver on a Formula E street circuit around Hong Kong's harborfront. © Spacesuit Media
The Devbot is a prototype electric car which has been created to develop and showcase the capabilities of autonomous vehicles. © Spacesuit Media
Devbot's creators, Roborace, used the chassis from a LMP3 Ginetta -- a car design that's used by drivers in the FIA World Endurance Championship. © Spacesuit Media
The rear-mounted petrol V8 engine has been replaced with a high-output, high-voltage battery. © Spacesuit Media
The Devbot is fitted with state-of-the-art sensing equipment -- including LIDAR and cameras -- which enable it to navigate its way safely around a track. © Spacesuit Media
Powerful AI software interacts with the sensing equipment enabling the Devbot to learn the geography of a track and the racing line. © Spacesuit Media
Before the challenge in Hong Kong, Shields drove the Devbot at a test track in the UK. © Spacesuit Media
Shields getting strapped in ahead of her three timed laps in Hong Kong. © Spacesuit Media
Shields clocked a fastest lap of 1:26.60 seconds... © Spacesuit Media
The Devbot couldn't match Shields time crossing the finish line in a time of 1:34.00 seconds. © Spacesuit Media
Look out for a rematch between Shields and the DevBot in 2018. © Spacesuit Media
