Thirty teams have already locked in for a solar race from Darwin to Adelaide that won’t even start for another 12 months, as the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge adds AI heavyweight Claude to its 2027 partner line-up.

The 40th celebration of world’s toughest solar race, has early bird entries approaching record numbers, and organisers predicting a blockbuster Darwin to Adelaide event.

The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC) 2027 has officially accelerated into its next technological era by naming Claude as an official partner adding a next-gen intelligence boost to the 3,000-kilometre journey through the Australian outback.

Claude is an artificial intelligence assistant created and developed by Anthropic, an American artificial intelligence safety and research company.

It joins the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge partner ecosystem alongside a 40-year CSIRO partnership, which will continue to spearhead the event’s scrutineering, technical intel, and validation of live performance metrics.

Organisers say broadening the pool of independent technological expertise and resources available to teams, brings a compelling new dimension to the competition and an exciting addition to the 2027 starting grid.

Teams will also have access to members of Anthropic’s Applied AI Engineering teams, and the BWSC will continue to rely on CSIRO’s authoritative standard for environmental data, technical analysis, and performance benchmarking.

“In keeping with the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 40-year legacy, we are issuing zero rules, mandates, or instructions on if or how the technology is used,” BWSC Ambassador, Chris Selwood said.

“It is entirely up to the free thinking, brilliant minds on the starting line to determine if, when, and how they deploy Claude to help them outsmart the desert.

“The outback is the ultimate proving ground. Through Anthropic’s generous provision of access to Claude, teams can explore a powerful new set of AI capabilities alongside CSIRO’s rigorous scientific foundation.

“Together, they expand the technology toolkit available to competitors while preserving the freedom to innovate that lies at the heart of the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.

“We have established the adventure arena, and secured world-class partners, but there is no instruction manual. It is entirely up to the individual teams to navigate the data, deploy the tools, and code their own path from Darwin to Adelaide.

“As early bird entries close, it’s fantastic to see 30 teams have already registered this far in advance. “

General Manager for Australia and New Zealand, Anthropic, Theo Hourmouzis, said Claude is a thinking partner to millions of students around the world who are using AI to help solve big challenges, and the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge will be an exceptional example of just that.

“This incredible event tests the limits of human creativity, endurance, and technical innovation. We are proud to be part of for the first time, supporting teams with Claude to help accelerate scientific progress and be a co-pilot along the journey from Darwin to Adelaide,” Mr Hourmouzis said.

CSIRO Energy Systems Research Director, Dr John Ward, said great scientific breakthroughs often begin with a challenge. For 40 years, the World Solar Challenge has brought together the brightest scientific and engineering minds in one of the great technological adventures, creating an environment where teams can test ideas, learn rapidly and innovate under real-world conditions.

“It’s a bold, collaborative pursuit that inspires new thinking and helps shape the future of clean energy, sustainable transport and the next generation of innovators,” Dr Ward said.