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Stanford and Volkswagen Create Autonomous Vehicle

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the race-is-on dept.

nght2000 writes "Stanford University has created an autonomous driving robot to compete in the 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge Race. The race will be held on October 8, 2005 in the desert Southwest. The team that develops an autonomous ground vehicle that finishes the designated route most quickly within 10 hours will receive $2 million. The route will be no more than 175 miles over desert terrain featuring natural and man-made obstacles. The Stanford Racing Team's vehicle is a Volkswagen R5 turbo diesel Touareg that was donated by Volkswagen of America. The Stanford Team has been working with the Volkswagen Electronics Research Laboratory on the project."

9 of 235 comments (clear)

  1. The people's car... by FlameboyC11 · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...without people! Gotta love that.

    1. Re:The people's car... by Penguinoflight · · Score: 3, Funny

      Kinda adds new meaning to their slogan "Drivers Wanted" huh?

      --
      "And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the World"
      1 John 4:14
  2. market potential? by moviepig.com · · Score: 3, Funny
    The...autonomous ground vehicle that finishes...most quickly...will receive $2 million. The route will be...175 miles...featuring...man-made obstacles.

    Bulk purchases of these robots, modified for high-speed runs of less than 30 minutes, is under consideration by Domino's Pizza.

    --
    Seeing bad movies only encourages them. Watch responsibly
  3. Re:CMU did this year ago by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 4, Funny

    And anyway, wouldn't a robotic vehicle be more likely to run into pedestrians like school kids?

    Only if Grand Theft Auto was pre-installed.

  4. Good thing, too... by interactive_civilian · · Score: 4, Funny
    I'm glad they made it autonomous because I heard that the back of a Volkswagen is a very uncomfortable place.

    ;p

    --
    "Empathise with stupidity, and you're halfway to thinking like an idiot." - Iain M. Banks
    1. Re:Good thing, too... by fbform · · Score: 4, Funny
      I heard that the back of a Volkswagen is a very uncomfortable place.

      Only on Slashdot would that statement be qualified by "I heard that". :-P

      --
      Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
  5. Herbie! by rossdee · · Score: 4, Funny

    Didn't VW do an autonomous vehicle back about 1970 (in association with Disney)

  6. Re:They're a bit optimistic.. by sturat · · Score: 3, Funny

    Seems to me they'd be better served if they laid off the emphasis on speed for the time being and just got to the point where a sharp turn can be safely negotiated.

    This is the same advice I give to my mother and it's yet to have an effect.

  7. Re:Uhhhh... No... by Efinel · · Score: 3, Funny

    Just when you thought it was safe to cross the street...

    Don't be a chicken.

    ---------
    Remember, drive defensively! And of course, the best defense is a good offense!