Teach A Robot To Drive, Win A Million Bucks

An Anonymous Reader writes "DARPA has released the details of a 'Grand Challenge,' with a $1 million prize. The challenge is to build an autonomous vehicle which can 'navigate on its own over a 250-mile desert course in less than 10 hours.' from L.A. to Vegas, 'without external communication or human control.' The contest is to be conducted in March 2004, and is open to all comers. Can we get at least one entry to represent slashdot?" We've mentioned this contest a few times before: any intended entrants out there want to disclose your secret plans?

Comments

Even Faster Than That

[sacdelta]

From the rules:

2.19.3 Maximum Finishing Time

In order to qualify for the Grand Challenge cash award, the maximum corrected finishing time of the winning team must be less than six hours. Additionally, to ensure safe operation during daylight hours only, all vehicles must be removed from the route ten hours after their departure.

If you want the money you have to do it in 6 hours. This is just over 40 mph. But some of the route is paved which should allow for higher speeds for parts of the course.

The rules also state that the route will be navigable/avoidable by a standard 4x4 pickup (HINT HINT).

Having driven out in the desert, even on the dirt roads, most of it can be driven at 60+ mph. You just have to be ready for the parts that can't be driven faster than 5 mph.

Re:Uh, riiight....

[effer]

From the FAQ...

Q11. Can I use differential global positioning system (GPS)?

A11. The challenge vehicle is free to use publicly available signals. This includes differential GPS receivers in towns or counties along the way. A team may establish a private differential GPS receiver, as long as it is fully autonomous, at a checkpoint.