There are existing racing games that allow for the development of AI car control. RARS has been around for many years, enabling some good academic research, see http://rars.sourceforge.net/
TORCS has now replaced RARS, see http://torcs.sourceforge.net/ - not sure how popular this is though; some of the more recent test events don't seem to have attracted any participants!
If you start digging around the research in this area, you'll find that developing AI control of a racing car is no simple matter. Apart from the constraints of a real-time environment, there are huge challenges working out a fast racing line, compounded by complications like overtaking and defending your position on track.
However, when you look at events like Robocup you'll see how collaboration between the teams (code is made freely available after each competition) has aided the development of multi-agent systems. As an existing game with a good following, I'm sure if a car-control interface was provided for LFS, there would be a small number of researchers interested in developing their own AI drivers.
Thinking slightly bigger, Robocup succeeds because it has a grand aim ... developing a humanoid football team that can beat the 2050 World Cup winning team (Brazil vs the robots!). Perhaps the racing equivalent would be an AI Sim Driver winning a race against F1 drivers by 2050. Given that F1 cars are already largely controlled by electronics rather than mechanical devices, maybe that wouldn't be so hard to imagine ... just would need sufficient resources working on the AI side.
Food for thought.
TORCS has now replaced RARS, see http://torcs.sourceforge.net/ - not sure how popular this is though; some of the more recent test events don't seem to have attracted any participants!
If you start digging around the research in this area, you'll find that developing AI control of a racing car is no simple matter. Apart from the constraints of a real-time environment, there are huge challenges working out a fast racing line, compounded by complications like overtaking and defending your position on track.
However, when you look at events like Robocup you'll see how collaboration between the teams (code is made freely available after each competition) has aided the development of multi-agent systems. As an existing game with a good following, I'm sure if a car-control interface was provided for LFS, there would be a small number of researchers interested in developing their own AI drivers.
Thinking slightly bigger, Robocup succeeds because it has a grand aim ... developing a humanoid football team that can beat the 2050 World Cup winning team (Brazil vs the robots!). Perhaps the racing equivalent would be an AI Sim Driver winning a race against F1 drivers by 2050. Given that F1 cars are already largely controlled by electronics rather than mechanical devices, maybe that wouldn't be so hard to imagine ... just would need sufficient resources working on the AI side.
Food for thought.
I've installed Teamspeak ready for tonights racing. Thought I'd try the added dimension that others enjoyed so much on Tuesday.
Question though, what is the server address that I should use when connecting Teamspeak? Are there any other settings to worry about?
Thanks.
Question though, what is the server address that I should use when connecting Teamspeak? Are there any other settings to worry about?
Thanks.
The Tesla looks very interesting. They've done well to get 250 miles per charge, if that turns out to be valid.
Within the FAQs they do state "Tesla Motors is an American car company with a UK subsidiary". It's not clear if they're referring to Lotus as a 'subsidiary' (which obviously is not correct), or whether they do have a subsidiary that may sell the cars this side of the pond.
I suspect it won't be cheap, but it's definitely a step in the right direction. If only a big manufacturer was bold enough to make a mass produced version of this type of car, concentrating more on efficiency rather than the sporting credentials that Tesla are plugging.
Within the FAQs they do state "Tesla Motors is an American car company with a UK subsidiary". It's not clear if they're referring to Lotus as a 'subsidiary' (which obviously is not correct), or whether they do have a subsidiary that may sell the cars this side of the pond.
I suspect it won't be cheap, but it's definitely a step in the right direction. If only a big manufacturer was bold enough to make a mass produced version of this type of car, concentrating more on efficiency rather than the sporting credentials that Tesla are plugging.
There's an excellent article in this weeks Economist magazine (June 10th - 16th) about Electric Cars, including the 100mpg Prius (improved battery pack, modified control software to enable car to run 30 miles on batteries alone instead of usual 1 mile, and blending in of electric power at higher speeds when petrol engine kicks in).
Big thing at the moment seems to be plug-in recharging, which Toyota seems not to be in favour of, but which can reduce emissions and increase savings big-time. One example is at http://www.energycs.com/RecentProjects2005_08.htm
Pretty much a cottage industry currently, but will hopefully create waves that get the larger manufacturers to sit up and take notice. In the meantime Solar Hydro, when are you going to start hacking your Prius?
Big thing at the moment seems to be plug-in recharging, which Toyota seems not to be in favour of, but which can reduce emissions and increase savings big-time. One example is at http://www.energycs.com/RecentProjects2005_08.htm
Pretty much a cottage industry currently, but will hopefully create waves that get the larger manufacturers to sit up and take notice. In the meantime Solar Hydro, when are you going to start hacking your Prius?
Sorry, given that the race is in 2 days time and we don't yet know the track, I'm afraid I'll need to give it a miss. I don't have sufficient available time between now and then to be able to set the car up, and learn the track.
I hope to be back for round 4, for which we know the combination already .
I hope to be back for round 4, for which we know the combination already
.Qualifying starts at 19:00 GMT
All times on the website are BST, which is GMT + 1
All times on the website are BST, which is GMT + 1
Count me in for the European event.
You'll have to post the replay after the North American event. Be interesting to see what strategy works best; driving as quick as possible and leaving your AI to fend for itself, driving with intent to wreck other's AI, or driving defensively to protect your AI.
Nice idea.
You'll have to post the replay after the North American event. Be interesting to see what strategy works best; driving as quick as possible and leaving your AI to fend for itself, driving with intent to wreck other's AI, or driving defensively to protect your AI.
Nice idea.
Thanks Ant - I've still got 90 minutes ... gulp!
Can I just confirm your timetable here please Minimax? You'll be receiving the entry forms 48 hours prior to a race. You'll then be picking one of those combos for the race, and announce it to the drivers. Realistically we will then have just the evening before the race (for those who work
) to get a setup and practice the combo. If we are busy that evening, we'll be straight into the race on racenight without a setup and without necessarily having ever driven the circuit (I'm relatively new to LFS). Can I suggest that we should know the combo at least one week before the race? Perhaps use a forum thread to allow discussion of the next combo, and agree the combo (or state what the combo will be) with 7 days to go. Sign-up to the race could then still take place with the form, or setup another thread as they do for the Danish Cup, with the first post edited everytime somebody joins the race.
Still can't connect. Using LFSPC it tries to connect, then I go back to Join Specific Game page. No error messages.
Minimax, I cannot connect to this server, nor to LFSPC that you confirmed yesterday.
Are we racing tonight? Am I just too early?
Sorry to hear that Ant - I was looking forward to another battle with you.
Minimax, can I confirm the following please?
1. Qualifying starts at 8pm BST (7pm GMT) on 18/5
2. Server will be LFSPC ?
3. No password is needed until first race starts
4. How will we know the password if we get booted and try to rejoin for second race?
5. Presume main race is 30 laps, rather than 30 mins as per PM details?
Many thanks.
1. Qualifying starts at 8pm BST (7pm GMT) on 18/5
2. Server will be LFSPC ?
3. No password is needed until first race starts
4. How will we know the password if we get booted and try to rejoin for second race?
5. Presume main race is 30 laps, rather than 30 mins as per PM details?
Many thanks.
I can get online from about 9.15pm BST tonight onwards.
Tomorrow it would be from 6.30pm until kick-off.
Nice one. Let's hope we'll perform on the big stage. If we do, it'll be a cracking game.
Slightly off topic there Ant ... shameless promotion
Is there a server available for practicing the UF1 on Aston Cadet? I was looking last night and couldn't find anything. Might get a chance tonight if anyone else is online. On Wednesday night I hope everybody will be cheering on The Arsenal
Come to think of it, do we have server details for Thursday's race?
Fantastic 
Nice idea. Can't wait for the sequel
Nice idea. Can't wait for the sequel
I'm interested. Will depend upon the day and time. My preference would be a 8pm UK start (7pm GMT).
Count me in too. It'll be a good excuse to revise my XRR setup, learn the new track, and enjoy some racing
It was just a thought. You're right though ... keep it simple, and let the racing do the talking ... :rally_dri
If you want to avoid all drivers from picking the same car, you could have a rule whereby a driver can only race each car in a maximum of 2 races.
That would add to the strategy somewhat, deciding when to drive each car vis-a-vis other drivers, and considering the strengths of each car on the given tracks.
That would add to the strategy somewhat, deciding when to drive each car vis-a-vis other drivers, and considering the strengths of each car on the given tracks.
Glad you've got lots of interest for this Dan. It looks set to be quite a success.
If you're running the superpole qualifying before the event, it may be difficult to get everybody available for just one session. Could I suggest holding two sessions, say on the Tuesday and Wednesday before the race. Each driver would only be able to enter one qualifying session. That would go some way to getting most drivers to pre-qualify; others would start at the back of the grid in random order.
Alternatively, you could run the superpole straight after the race the previous week. That would spice up the grids a bit, but perhaps not meet your presumed objective of reducing the time required on the evening of the race.
If you're running the superpole qualifying before the event, it may be difficult to get everybody available for just one session. Could I suggest holding two sessions, say on the Tuesday and Wednesday before the race. Each driver would only be able to enter one qualifying session. That would go some way to getting most drivers to pre-qualify; others would start at the back of the grid in random order.
Alternatively, you could run the superpole straight after the race the previous week. That would spice up the grids a bit, but perhaps not meet your presumed objective of reducing the time required on the evening of the race.
Yes, I'm interested. Sounds like a good competition. Driving less familiar cars can even the field a little.
Bear in mind this is during the World Cup (15/6 - England v Trinidad), which may affect attendance.
It may be an idea to have a practice session a few days in advance of each race evening, to give those people who could make it a chance to get used to the car and to try different setups. I guess it would depend upon the availability of a server, and it might be too much of a commitment for those racing in other leagues / interested in football!
If you would like any organisational assistance, give me a shout.
Bear in mind this is during the World Cup (15/6 - England v Trinidad), which may affect attendance.
It may be an idea to have a practice session a few days in advance of each race evening, to give those people who could make it a chance to get used to the car and to try different setups. I guess it would depend upon the availability of a server, and it might be too much of a commitment for those racing in other leagues / interested in football!
If you would like any organisational assistance, give me a shout.
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