AWS DeepRacer Enhances AI Learning with New Evo Model and Expanded Racing League

AWS Expands DeepRacer League and Announces Car Updates

Last year, at AWS re:Invent, Amazon launched the AWS DeepRacer, a miniature autonomous race car designed to teach developers about machine learning, particularly reinforcement learning, in a fun and engaging way. This year, ahead of the re:Invent conference, AWS announced significant enhancements to the DeepRacer program, including an improved car model and an expanded racing schedule.

Introducing the DeepRacer Evo

The new DeepRacer Evo model builds upon the original car, incorporating advanced features such as a stereo camera and a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) sensor. These additions are not merely cosmetic; they enable the DeepRacer Evo to detect and respond to obstacles, including other DeepRacers, more skillfully. This upgrade aims to provide developers with a deeper understanding of reinforcement learning, a field crucial for applications like autonomous driving.

Developers will have the option to purchase a new DeepRacer Evo or upgrade their existing DeepRacer with a sensor upgrade kit, both expected to be available early next year.

Expanded Racing League and New Competition Formats

AWS is significantly expanding the DeepRacer racing league, offering more opportunities for developers to compete at AWS events and even at their own organized events. The company is also introducing new race categories:

Obstacle Avoidance Races: Leveraging the new sensors, these races will challenge developers to program their cars to detect and navigate around obstacles.
Head-to-Head Competitions: This new format allows multiple DeepRacers to compete simultaneously on the track, adding a dynamic competitive element beyond the previous single-car, time-trial format.

These expansions aim to foster a more vibrant and competitive community around DeepRacer, allowing developers to test and showcase their machine learning skills on a global scale.

Educational Focus and Event Participation

As AWS General Manager for AI and Machine Learning Marketing, Ryan Gavin, previously stated, the core mission of DeepRacer is to help developers learn about advanced technologies like machine learning in an accessible and enjoyable manner. The transition from a simple learning tool to a competitive racing league highlights AWS's commitment to hands-on, experiential learning.

At the upcoming re:Invent conference, attendees can expect:

League Qualifying Races: Opportunities to compete and qualify for championship events.
Championship Cup Competition: For those already immersed in the DeepRacer ecosystem.
DeepRacer Bootcamps and Workshops: Sessions designed for newcomers and those looking to deepen their understanding and skills.

Author and Related Content

The article was written by Ron Miller, an Enterprise Reporter at TechCrunch, with a background in technology journalism. It also references previous TechCrunch articles and provides links to relevant AWS blog posts and event information, underscoring the practical application of AI and machine learning in real-world scenarios.

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The article also includes promotional content for the TechCrunch All Stage pass, highlighting upcoming events in Boston focused on startups and venture capital, featuring insights from industry leaders.

Key Takeaways:

AWS is enhancing its DeepRacer platform with new hardware (Evo model with sensors) and software updates.
The DeepRacer league is expanding with more competition opportunities and new race formats.
The initiative aims to make learning AI and machine learning, especially reinforcement learning, more accessible and fun for developers.
DeepRacer events and workshops will be prominent at AWS re:Invent.

This initiative continues to position AWS as a leader in providing tools and platforms for developers to explore and master cutting-edge AI technologies.