Driver specifications
This is an AI racing simulation platform. Races are performed in a simulation environment by bots (computer controlled car drivers). All bots use the same driving algorithm and car, and competitors are allowed to define some parameters for their bots. Depending on these parameters, different performance levels can be achieved, thus there exists the possibility of competing.
Driver specifications are the way to set different vehicle setup, AI driving algorithm parameters and strategy for each driver. Competitors can send their specifications for an event through the Submit section in this web. Available parameters are grouped in several categories.
Vehicle setup parameters
Suspension stiffness: This mostly affects the springs. A higher setting results in faster chassis movements, and an overall faster vehicle. But also can make the tyres to skip over bumps instead of keeping contact with the ground, resulting in poor grip.
Suspension damping: The dampers adjustments are used to control how fast or slow the mass compress or uncompress. The softer a shock absorber is, the faster the weight is transferred. The harder, the slower. This allows to control different points of a corner (see below). So, for example, a car that understeers on turn entries needs more weight on the front axis. This can be adjusted by either making the front compression softer or reducing the rear decompression damping, so the rear end lifts up more and transfers more weight to the front axis.
Entry: The weight is transferred to the front axis. Front dampers compress and rear dampers uncompress.
Apex: The weight it transferred to a side. Outside dampers are compressed and inside dampers are uncompressed.
Exit: The weight is transferred to the rear of the car. Rear dampers compress and front dampers uncompress.
Anti-roll bar stiffness: The anti-roll bar adds roll resistance without resorting to an overly stiff spring. This controls the amount of mass moved from side to side in turns. A stiff anti-roll bar setting increases stability at the expense of a traction loss.
Ride height: Adjusts the distance between the ground and the vehicle. Lowering the vehicle center of gravity usually means improved vehicle handling. Lowering too much can cause the vehicle occasionally hitting the ground and so a loss of speed and control.
Camber: More negative camber makes the vehicle faster in a straight line due to a smaller tire patch touching the ground. But this also reduces braking and accelerating abilities.
Tire pressure: More pressure means more speed in straights and more precise handling. Less pressure usually adds grip, and so cornering is faster. The pressure is also related to tire temperature.
Aerodynamic setup: The airflow around the vehicle can be adjusted setting up the front and rear wings. Higher settings usually add negative lift (downforce) which helps increasing the vehicle cornering speed, at the expense of drag, which makes the vehicle slower in straights.
Final ratio: This allows to control the entire gear set to either favor acceleration or top speed. Smaller values result in longer gears.
Brake force: The amount of pressure on the brake discs when full brake is applied. An optimal maximum force setup does not lock the wheels until right before turning into the corner.
Brake balance: Brake balance adjusts the amount of pressure on the front and rear brakes. Higher values move the braking pressure distribution to the front axis. Since under braking the weight is transferred to the front axis, the rear axis gets less loaded and it's easier to lock the rear wheels. If front wheels are locking while braking, the balance can be moved to the rear. If rear wheels are locking while braking, the balance can be moved to the front. Front and rear axes should lock up at the same time for an optimal setting.
Driver algorithm parameters
Conservative speed estimation: A more conservative turn speed and brake distance estimation (positive values) makes the driver slower and safer. Overestimating speed (negative values) can increase speed but also can make the driver slower if the drive-line is often lost, and even accidents can occur.
Conservative throttle: How much the driver tries to avoid wheels spinning when throttle is applied. Negative values make the driver more aggressive with the throttle to the point it can lose control of the vehicle. Positive values are safer but may be slower. This affects also the race start.
Conservative braking: How much the driver tries to avoid wheels locking when brake is applied. Negative values make the driver more aggressive with the brakes to the point it can lock the wheels and become slower. Positive values can avoid wheel locking but make braking distances longer than needed.
Strategy parameters
The amount of energy loaded in car for each stint is auto computed based on the lap to stop indication provided by the specification, but this is just approximate. The final stop lap may not be exactly the one specified. The fighting algorithm makes AI drivers losing time in battles. A strategy that avoids traffic can be very effective. Also, consider tire wear.