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Spatially-Aware Adaptive Trajectory Optimization with Controller-Guided Feedback for Autonomous Racing

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We present a closed-loop framework for autonomous raceline optimization that combines NURBS-based trajectory representation, CMA-ES global trajectory optimization, and controller-guided spatial feedback. Instead of treating tracking errors as transient disturbances, our method exploits them as informative signals of local track characteristics via a Kalman-inspired spatial update. This enables the construction of an adaptive, acceleration-based constraint map that iteratively refines trajectories toward near-optimal performance under spatially varying track and vehicle behavior. In simulation, our approach achieves a 17.38% lap time reduction compared to a controller parametrized with maximum static acceleration. On real hardware, tested with different tire compounds ranging from high to low friction, we obtain a 7.60% lap time improvement without explicitly parametrizing friction. This demonstrates robustness to changing grip conditions in real-world scenarios.

Alexander Wachter, Alexander Willert, Marc-Philip Ecker, Christian Hartl-Nesic• 2026

Related benchmarks

TaskDatasetResultRank
Autonomous RacingF1Aut track
Lap Time (s)16.54
4
Autonomous RacingWall1 track
Lap Time (s)15.71
4
Autonomous RacingLevine track
Lap Time (s)10.42
4
Autonomous RacingOperngasse
Lap Time (s)6.24
4
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