Together toward the next season: CAIRO.thws supports Mainfranken Racing e.V. and the MF18
Würzburg, 28.01.2026
When Formula Student turns ideas into real race cars, every connection matters and success depends on everything working seamlessly together: design and software, test bench and track, and above all, the people behind it.
The Center for Artificial Intelligence (CAIRO.thws) at Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS) is supporting Mainfranken Racing e.V. as a sponsor for its new vehicle project, the MF18. The team is currently making a major technical step forward, moving from a rear-wheel-drive electric car to an all-wheel-drive system. And because Formula Student is no longer only about horsepower, the MF18 will also compete autonomously in Driverless events.
Mainfranken Racing has already demonstrated that this approach delivers results beyond theory: the team achieved 1st place in the Driverless category at FSItaly 2025.
Formula Student: One year of development and then every second counts
Formula Student is an international engineering competition for students. Within one year, teams design and build their own formula-style race car and compete against universities worldwide at events. It’s an engineering project, a competition, and teamwork at high speed with real-world performance under real track conditions.
Italy provided a vivid example of how quickly setbacks can turn into success: right at the start of the event, an accident in the first Driverless discipline damaged the car, including the front wing and suspension. Within 24 hours, the Mainfranken Racing team, supported by the Formula Student community and other teams, returned the car to the start and completed an intensive program including Endurance, Autocross, and Trackdrive runs. The result: multiple first-place finishes in Driverless disciplines and the overall win in the relevant classes.
Linking to CAIRO.thws: MAI students help develop the autonomous software
CAIRO.thws’ involvement is not only visible as sponsorship on the vehicle, it is tangible in development work. Two students from the international master’s program Artificial Intelligence (MAI) contributed directly to the autonomous software: Tamara Bergerhoff and Sebastian Baader. From algorithmic logic to robust implementation, AI and software expertise is being transferred into a race car that must be not only fast, but also capable of driving itself.
Join in instead of watching: Mainfranken Racing is looking for new Driverless talent
For the next development stage, Mainfranken Racing is looking for additional students who want to continue and further develop the autonomous software. Whether in sensing and perception, planning and control, system integration, testing, or data analysis. Anyone who enjoys working on real challenges where results become visible on track will find an environment where theory quickly becomes practice.
Contact for interested students: https://mainfranken-racing.de/kontakt/
About Mainfranken Racing e.V.
Mainfranken Racing e.V. is a student motorsport team from the Mainfranken region. As part of Formula Student, the team designs and builds a race car each year and competes at international events, increasingly also in the Driverless category.
About CAIRO.thws
The Center for Artificial Intelligence (CAIRO.thws) is the AI research institute of the University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt. CAIRO.thws develops innovative AI solutions with a strong focus on open-source technologies and European digital sovereignty. By combining application-oriented research with active knowledge transfer to industry, CAIRO.thws makes a significant contribution to strengthening Bavaria’s and Europe’s AI ecosystem.