LTU, Michigan State Collaborate on High-Speed Autonomous Racing

April 6, 2026

Partnership places LTU researchers and students at the forefront of autonomous vehicle technology development for the Indy Autonomous Challenge.

Lawrence Technological University has joined a global university team developing autonomous racecars capable of speeds up to 200 mph as part of the Indy Autonomous Challenge, one of the world’s premier competitions advancing artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicle technology. The collaboration with Michigan State University and the PoliMOVE-MSU autonomous racing team allows LTU researchers and students to contribute to this high-speed autonomy research connected to the NTT IndyCar Series.

Why it matters

This partnership highlights Lawrence Tech’s expertise in autonomous systems and AI, allowing its faculty and students to work on one of the most advanced autonomy projects in the world. The technologies developed through this high-speed racing competition will influence the safety and intelligence of future transportation systems.

The details

As part of the collaboration, LTU faculty and students will work alongside MSU researchers and the international PoliMOVE team to develop and refine the algorithms that allow the autonomous racecar to interpret sensor data, predict motion, and make split-second driving decisions at extreme speeds. LTU professors CJ Chung, Vijay John, and Eric Martinson will contribute to the development of the vehicle’s autonomy software, focusing on perception systems.

  • The team’s first race of the season is expected this summer as part of the NTT IndyCar Series, with Nashville anticipated as one of the early host cities.
  • The partnership was developed over the past eight months through discussions led by Patrick Nelson, LTU’s dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Judson Herzer, director of Michigan State University Office of Mobility.