AWS DeepRacer Evo is coming soon, enabling developers to race their object avoidance and head-to-head models in exciting new racing formats

Since the launch of AWS DeepRacer, tens of thousands of developers from around the world have been getting hands-on experience with reinforcement learning in the AWS Management Console, by building their AWS DeepRacer models and competing in the AWS DeepRacer League for a chance to be crowned the 2019 AWS DeepRacer League Champion. The League Final takes place this week at re:Invent 2019.

Introducing AWS DeepRacer Evo for head to head racing and more

We’re excited to announce AWS DeepRacer Evo, a 1/18th scale autonomous car driven by reinforcement learning, now with LIDAR and stereo camera sensors! The new stereo camera and LIDAR (light detection and ranging) sensors enable customers to train even more advanced reinforcement learning models capable of detecting objects and avoiding other cars. Customers will now be able to build models capable of competing in new AWS DeepRacer League race types in 2020, including object avoidance and dual-car head-to-head races, both virtually and in the physical world, in addition to the 2019 time-trial race format.

Developers can start building their object avoidance and head-to-head models now by adding stereo cameras and LIDAR sensors to their virtual cars in the new “My Garage” section of the AWS DeepRacer console. These sensors provide a unique perspective of the racetrack. Stereo cameras allow the car to detect the distance to an object and LIDAR helps to determine whether a car is fast approaching from behind. By combining these sensory inputs with advanced algorithms, and updated reward functions, developers can build models that not only detect obstacles (including other cars), but also decide when to overtake, to beat the other car to the finish line.

Add new sensors to AWS DeepRacer Evo in the new garage section of the AWS DeepRacer console.

And it doesn’t stop there. AWS DeepRacer Evo will be available on Amazon.com in 2020 and will come equipped with the same sensors (stereo camera and LIDAR) allowing developers to take the models they have trained in simulation into a real world experience. With AWS DeepRacer Evo, developers will be ready to hit the road immediately with an AWS DeepRacer car capable of mastering each race that the AWS DeepRacer League will bring in 2020. You can sign up to be notified when AWS DeepRacer Evo will be available here. Developers who already own an AWS DeepRacer car can buy an easy-to-install sensor kit from Amazon.com, also available in 2020, to give their car the same capabilities as AWS DeepRacer Evo.

Under the Hood

The new AWS DeepRacer Evo car will be configurable, so when you receive it you choose if you want to start with one camera, two cameras, and LIDAR on or off. These can be easily plugged in or removed from the car’s USB ports, with minimal effort.

The rest remains the same as AWS DeepRacer, including the use of Intel’s OpenVINO toolkit that optimizes the reinforcement learning model built in the simulator, allowing for faster decision making about the next action to take as images of the track are collected by the camera.

Warm up for the 2020 season of the AWS DeepRacer League

In 2020 there will be more ways to compete in the League, with object avoidance and dual-car head-to-head added as new racing formats that take advantage of AWS DeepRacer Evo’s new features. The in-person racing will expand to all of the AWS Summits next year and the Virtual Circuit will add multiple races per month where developers will be able to compete to win in time trial races or take to the tracks head to head against an AWS bot car. The 2020 season of the AWS DeepRacer League promises to add even more fun and excitement as machine learning developers from around the world start their journey and compete to become the next AWS DeepRacer League Champion!

All new features are available in the AWS DeepRacer console now. Log in to learn more and start your machine learning journey today.

About the Author

Alexandra Bush is a Senior Product Marketing Manager for AWS AI. She is passionate about how technology impacts the world around us and enjoys being able to help make it accessible to all. Out of the office she loves to run, travel and stay active in the outdoors with family and friends.