Getting Started with
aira Beta 1.7
Set up your environment, run the simulation, and submit your first result to the leaderboard — no prior AI experience needed.
Fork the Repository
Forking creates your own copy on GitHub where you can save progress and experiment freely.
Open the repository and click the Fork button in the top-right corner.
Open virtual-robot-race on GitHub →Then clone your fork to your local machine:
git clone https://github.com/YOUR_NAME/virtual-robot-race.git cd virtual-robot-race
Set Up Your Environment
Run the setup script to install all Python dependencies automatically.
On Windows, double-click or run from Command Prompt / PowerShell:
setup_env.bat
Or manually with pip:
pip install -r requirements.txt
Set Your Race Name
Your race name links your results to the leaderboard. It must match your aira display name exactly.
Open config.txt in the repository root and set your name:
# config.txt NAME=YourAiraName # ← A-Z, a-z, 0-9, underscore, max 16 chars COMPETITION_NAME=Tutorial # use Tutorial for practice RACE_FLAG=0 # keep 0 for practice runs
Launch the Simulator
Run a single command — Unity launches automatically and the race begins.
Run main.py from your terminal:
python main.py
Modify & Experiment
The default mode is rule-based. Edit the algorithm and see how it changes your robot's behaviour.
Your main algorithm file is here:
Robot1/rule_based_algorithms/driver_model.py
Switch control modes in config.txt:
R1_MODE_NUM=3 # 1=keyboard 2=csv 3=rule_based 4=ai
Submit to the Leaderboard
When you're ready to compete, flip the race flag — your result will be posted automatically.
In config.txt, set:
RACE_FLAG=1 # results will be posted after the run
After the race finishes, your score is sent automatically. Check the leaderboard on the top page.
View active competitions →Tutorial Leaderboard
All submissions — newest first.
Ready to compete?
Join an active competition and put your algorithm to the test.
View Competitions →