Pitt Student Nayana Suvarna Leading Autonomous Racing Team At Indianapolis Motor Speedway

By: KDKA-TV News Staff

INDIANAPOLIS (KDKA) - Pittsburgh has become a hub for autonomous vehicle research in the past few years and now a team at Pitt is taking the next step.

The team has a self-driving Indy Car that will be competing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway next weekend.

That car is one of nine finalists competing for $1 million.

It's also the only team with a woman and student leading it - Team Captain Nayana Suvarna.

"I think that overall it's been a really great experience to have an opportunity like this because I know that a lot of women aren't afforded the same opportunities in terms of getting to a leadership position at this level," she said. "It's been a really great experience. and I have a really supportive team who helps me every step of the way."

Here's the other thing about Suvarna - she doesn't have her driver's license yet but in autonomous racing, you don't need one.