PS3 Enters DARPA Urban Challenge

billdar writes "Terrasoft Solutions posted an article on their development of a stereo vision object detection system built upon Sony's PS3 for Axion Racing's entry into the DARPA Urban Challenge. The PS3 running Yellow Dog Linux replaced one of the on-board Dell servers to process the realtime stereoscopic sensor data. The whole system was developed and integrated onto the vehicle in ten days. So far, Spirit has been making the competition's highlight reels."

Comments

Could've been worse

[Dr. Eggman]

This Prius had a more spectacular escape attempt. Personally, though, I'm rooting for Team Oshkosh, formerly Team Terramax. They completed the grand challenge course (one of only 4 to do so), but they took way too long to place so here's hoping they do better this year! Oh, and here's hoping they're quick on the kill switch if that monster of a truck glitches out...

Does it revert back to form...

[R2.0]

...and jump out of the vehicle and beat up a hooker?

not done?

[tomstdenis]

Being amazed that a 450W computer ... can compute things?

It's not like this is a Z-80 with 8KB of ram.

Re:not done?

[vasqzr]

It's mentioned that the PS3 is replacing '6 Dell servers'

What are the specs on these servers? Are older Pentium 4 servers being replaced, or are they newer machines?

Then again, if a new Dell server (dual quadcore for example) could do the job all on it's own, thats' $3,000 compared to $600 for the PS3. Impressive showing, and a good use of the specialized hardware that the Cell brings to the table.

Re:not done?

[KDR_11k]

Well, this is a robotics competition, usually these require realtime systems so if it's getting used it can probably work well with realtime constraints.

Re:not done?

[G Fab]

Let's see. I mention how I like the 360's game selection. And I mention how the PS3 has a cool factor from these types of interesting applications. So who am I trolling? It's true, the PS3 looks pretty cool, and it's fun to explain all the stuff it can do (linux or folding or whatever little story like this has popped up). It's also true that the 360 has more games selection, and that advantage is likely to persist.

Apparently more than one of you disagree with me (even think I'm trolling), so perhaps someoen else can explain to me why this is such a controversial view. I thought I was being even handed (and correct).

Re:Another Reason to Buy One!

[nbowman]

yeah, because I never see anyone else on Warhawk. ever.


seriously will this "the PS3 isn't used for gaming" meme just die already? no, its not the dominant system, but I am not unhappy with mine, and neither are the other people I know that own one. The fanboyism, it burnss us.

Re:Another Reason to Buy One!

[Nursie]

PS3 now outselling Xbox by quite a margin in europe

So shut the hell up already. The PS3 is doing just fine, despite what y'all naysayers are moaning about.

Re:Another Reason to Buy One!

[jeks]

Am I the only one seeing a Slashdot double standard when it comes to Microsoft and the XBox?

Any article pointing out Microsoft's misdoings gets tons of attention yet it seems that the same crowd is very positive towards the XBox 360. Compare the number of posts on an average Slashdot XBox article (Halo 3, hello!) versus a PS3 article.

It would be nice to know whether you people think it is reasonable to own a 360 and still be opposing MS and its associated business methods.

Problems under the hood

[svnt]

How does he plan on syncing the frames? No mention is made of this, and all examples are taken from static environments. Disparity maps are all but useless if there is much change in position (e.g. on a moving vehicle) between frame acquisitions.

Re:Problems under the hood

[billdar]

The examples in the center of the page are snapshots from the first field test when the truck was moving.

Basically, the PS3 grabs a handle and opens a data connection to each camera. Thats the slowest part of the system. The reads are done simultaneously in different threads. Pulling the next frames require both current reads to complete first. Grabbing the data from the cameras is limited by USB bandwidth and the capture speed of the cameras.

That ends up giving you a worst-case sync deviation of ~10ms. Which is not too bad considering the source is an off the shelf webcam, but it does limit the max speed the system is useful.

Re:Another Reason to Buy One!

[gamer4Life]

I would definitely not call Microsoft "the little guy" in ANY industry. They leverage their monopoly on Windows to facilitate entry and eventually to force developers to make specifically for their platform.

Right now Microsoft is using Windows to entice companies to develop for the XBox 360. They buy exclusives left and right with the Windows tax that we pay. At the same time, they are forcing people to pay a monthly fee to play online, something that was once taken for granted. They force people to buy non-standard components, and they've made it the norm to have multiple versions of the same type of console. Does this sound like Windows? Imagine if they were to become the dominant player in the industry?

Not to mention they've succeeded in their viral campaign... notice that the most fanatic fanboys are XBox 360 owners? It could be that their main demographic - 13-25 year-old males that play shooters, are more prone to fanboyism and trolling Internet blogs to incite flamewars. If you take a look at each console's Wikipedia history, you'll see that the PS3 has had far more requests for protection than the 360.

Having said that, Microsoft's entry into the console market has helped Sony move forward with price cuts and enhancements - just don't hope that Microsoft gains a foothold - once that happens, it's a slow war of attrition until Microsoft comes out on top.

PS3 and the Current Gen

[LKM]

I own both a PS3 and a Wii. As of now, I would not recommend the PS3 to anyone. If you're a hardcore gamer, get a 360. Sure, it'll probably burn and explode, but as long as it still works, at least you've got some decent games. If you aren't a hardcore gamer, get a Wii. Tons of great games are available.

For the PS3, these are the games I'd recommend if you insist on getting one:

• Warhawk. Great game, although a bit expensive for online-only
• Motorstorm. Not too many tracks, but fun while it lasts. No split screen is a major letdown, though
• Resistance. Awesome FPS

You might also want to look at the following games. They are neat, but have serious flaws:

• R&C: Looking good, but if you've played an earlier R&C, you've already played this one
• Heavenly Sword: Pretty, but way too short
• Ninja Gaiden: Basically the same game as the Xbox version
• skate: Fun, but has serious framerate issues, and online is gimped; if you can, get the 360 version instead
• Calling all Cars: Fun little online game for those who like local multiplayer gaming
• Stardust HD, Everyday Shooter: Two of the better dual analog shooters

So there are three really good games, and a bunch of games that are acceptable. On the other hand, the Wii has stuff like Zelda, Resident Evil 4, Metroid Prime 3, Super Paper Mario, Wario Ware, Trauma Center, Mario Strikers, Rayman, Wii Sports, Elebits, Excite Truck, Super Monkey Ball, finally a good 3D Sonic... and that doesn't even include any of the VC games. As of now the Wii simply has the better game selection, and it looks like the gap is widening as franchises are moving to the Wii (Monster Hunter), while Sony has trouble keeping third parties on their console. The sales numbers paint the same picture: While the PS3 has a grand total of two million sellers (Motorstorm and Resistance), the Wii has at least nine.

Like I said: Even though I own a PS3, I would not recommend it to anyone. I think there's a good chance that it'll end up this generation's Gamecube: A few awesome first-party titles, but few third-party titles, and the third-party titles it gets are crappy ports from other consoles.