'Anki Overdrive' Bringing Modular Tracks and New Cars to AI Racing Game

Anki today announced a sequel to its innovative iOS-compatible Anki Drive slot car racing game. Called "Anki Overdrive" and set for launch in September, it will include brand new cars, a customizable track - courtesy of magnetically interlocking track pieces and "bridges" that adjust track height - and even jump ramps (via Re/code).

Originally debuted on stage at WWDC 2013, Anki has slowly grown support for the original Anki Drive by adding new cars and track support but keeping the same basic static roll-out mat technology. The sequel, which the company plans to announce today at the New York Toy Fair, will retain the same basic concept of using a smartphone to control a physical toy car around a track, battling against an A.I. opponent or other players.

Anki
The Anki Overdrive starter kit, which will retail for $150 and come with two cars, will include 10 modular track pieces that the company says can create up to eight different track options out of the box. They'll also be selling "expansion packs" that will give users the ability to add four way intersections, U-turns, and jumps into the mix. Those expansion packs will cost between $10 and $30, and additional cars will be around $50.


The team has boosted the software component, as well. Talking to Re/code, Anki co-founder Hanns Tappeiner said when the cars interact with a new, user-made track, they'll drive slowly and cautiously as they "map" the track to their memory, after which they'll begin speeding up. Tappeiner also highlights the potential for user imagination in weaving tracks around everyday household objects, not just limiting users to designated objects provided by Anki.

Tappeiner and I combined the pieces from two of the starter kits to make one criss-crossing mega-track stretching across a conference table. As advertised, we were able to use the stuff already on the desk — soda cans, water bottles, computer cables — to buttress the rising and falling pieces of the track.

Tappeiner also promised the much-loved meta game of advancing player levels - courtesy of the Anki Drive [Direct Link] companion app available as a free download - as you race and battle around tracks will remain firmly intact with Anki Overdrive. “Even though it’s a physical thing, we think of it as a video game,” Tappeiner said. “If this were a video game, every time you advanced a level you’d be in a different world.”

Tag: Anki

Popular Stories

Apple CarPlay Ultra instrument cluster themes 01

Apple's CarPlay Ultra Is Here – Does Your iPhone Support It?

Thursday May 15, 2025 5:17 am PDT by
Apple's recently announced CarPlay Ultra promises a deeply integrated in-car experience, but not all iPhone users will be able to take advantage of the new feature. According to Apple's press release, CarPlay Ultra requires an iPhone 12 or later running iOS 18.5 or later. This means if you're using an iPhone 11, iPhone XR, or any older model, you'll need to upgrade your device to access...
Apple CarPlay Ultra instrument cluster themes 01

Apple's 'CarPlay Ultra' Experience Now Available

Thursday May 15, 2025 5:07 am PDT by
Apple today announced that its next-generation CarPlay experience, now dubbed "CarPlay Ultra" begins rolling out today, starting with Aston Martin vehicles. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. CarPlay Ultra is now available with new Aston Martin vehicle orders in the U.S. and Canada. It will also be available for existing models that feature the brand's next-generation ...
CarPlay Ultra Climate Controls

Apple Says These Vehicle Brands Plan to Offer All-New CarPlay Ultra

Thursday May 15, 2025 8:13 am PDT by
Apple today announced the launch of CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. CarPlay Ultra features deep integration with a vehicle's instrument cluster and systems, built-in Radio and Climate apps, customizable widgets, and more. The interface is tailored to each vehicle model and automaker's identity, and drivers can also adjust...
vision pro video recording

WSJ: Some Apple Vision Pro Buyers 'Feel Total Regret'

Friday May 16, 2025 7:43 am PDT by
Apple's Vision Pro headset has left many early adopters expressing dissatisfaction over its weight, limited use cases, and sparse software ecosystem, according to a new article from The Wall Street Journal. In the year following the device's launch, user feedback suggests that it has failed to meet expectations for comfort, software support, and social acceptance. In interviews conducted by T...
iPhone 17 Air Pastel Feature

iPhone 17 Air Could Debut Advanced Silicon Battery Tech

Friday May 16, 2025 8:00 am PDT by
The upcoming all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air could become the first Apple smartphone to adopt advanced battery technology, with Japanese supplier TDK preparing to ship its new generation of silicon-anode batteries by the end of June. According to DigiTimes, TDK CEO Noboru Saito revealed in a recent interview that the Apple supplier has accelerated its production timeline, moving shipments...
iPhone 17 Air Pastel Feature

iPhone 17 Air Battery Capacity and Weight Allegedly Revealed

Monday May 19, 2025 2:22 am PDT by
Apple is expected to launch an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air later this year, and while there have been plenty of rumors about the camera's overall design and thinness, we haven't heard any details about the device's weight and battery capacity until now. According to the leaker going by the account name "yeux1122" on the Korean-langauge Naver blog, the 6.6-inch iPhone 17 Air has a weight ...

Top Rated Comments

philipk Avatar
134 months ago
Same here! ...except my limit was $25. For Christmas 1966, I got a slot car set.
BTW
Our slot car track lasted over 10 years. My youngest brother is 7 years younger than me. In time the track was put in a closet in full working condition. My parents are still living but now in a condo. They can't remember what happened to the track.

I am 57 years old and a pastor of a church. I am planning to buy an Anki set for my personal use with my own money. I MAY share it with the church youth. :)
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
2457282 Avatar
134 months ago
Yeah, its pricy, but sooo cool. I wish my kids were still young enough for me to buy this for, umm..., them. :)
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
taptic Avatar
134 months ago
Very cool toy, but still just a toy for a lot of money.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
warnergt Avatar
134 months ago
I am from a working class family. Come Christmas my brothers and I would drool over the Sears Wish Book. I was 10 and it was 1967. My parents gave us each a $20 limit on picking one toy to get from "Santa"...

Same here! ...except my limit was $25. For Christmas 1966, I got a slot car set.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
philipk Avatar
134 months ago
Its a cool product but I don't know how well its been selling. Its a little too pricey for my budget.
I am from a working class family. Come Christmas my brothers and I would drool over the Sears Wish Book. I was 10 and it was 1967. My parents gave us each a $20 limit on picking one toy to get from "Santa".

I did the math. Today that $20 is worth $141 which is very close to the price of Anki. I don't remember what I got. However, I am sure it wasn't as cool or a long lasting as Anki.

In the early 1970's my brothers and I got a joint Christmas gift in a large 1/32 slot car track. We loved it. I don't know the price but I bet adjusting for inflation it was more than Anki.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CheesePuff Avatar
134 months ago
Very cool toy, but still just a toy for a lot of money.

Slot car sets typically cost much more.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)