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Robotic Audi To Brave Pikes Peak Without a Driver

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the zoom-zoom-splat dept.

Scifi83 writes "A team of researchers at the Center for Automotive Research at Stanford (CARS) has filled the trunk of an Audi TTS with computers and GPS receivers, transforming it into a vehicle that drives itself. The car will attempt Pikes Peak without a driver at race speeds, something that's never been done."

19 of 197 comments (clear)

  1. I, for one by electricbern · · Score: 3, Funny

    would like to welcome our robotic driver overlords.

    --
    alias possession='chmod 666 satan && ls /dev > il && tail daemon.log'
    1. Re:I, for one by Hognoxious · · Score: 2, Funny

      In Soviet Russia, robotic driver overlords welcome YOU!!!!

      --
      Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
  2. Explanation by OpenSourced · · Score: 5, Funny

    The researchers have programmed Shelley to handle like a racecar by using a set of computer calculations called algorithms

    Ha! So that's how they did it! Quite simple, really, once you know the trick.

    --
    Rome taught me patience and assiduous application to detail. Virtues which temper the boldness of great, general views.
    1. Re:Explanation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      damn it! why didn't anyone tell me about these "algorithms" before? They sound so useful!

    2. Re:Explanation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

      Jimmy Carter decided to start a rock band consisting of ex-Presidents. He recruited George Bush and Bill Clinton, but they still needed a drummer. Clinton suggested his vice president, who had after all come within a hair's breadth of the presidency himself. The band soon started getting gigs all the time, many of these at swanky country clubs and mansions. One particular venue had such a powerful sound system that all guests had to stay several dozen yards away from the speakers or suffer serious hearing impairment. On the day that the Ex-Presidents were to perform, the club hired several new butlers to serve the large number of guests who would attend. One in particular had not been informed about the unusual power of the speaker system. In the middle of a drum solo, he tragically attempted to walk in front of the speakers to bring someone a drink, and his brain suffered a massive hemorrhage. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The autopsy report would record, "The Al Gore rhythm killed Jeeves."

    3. Re:Explanation by whopub · · Score: 5, Funny

      Truth is, it's probable just The Stig in the trunk, with a laptop.

    4. Re:Explanation by tool462 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Bah. "Algorithm" is just doublespeak for "Mechanical Turk."

      Some say he can steer a car just by thinking evasive thoughts.
      And if he turns the wheel, the road will slide easily underneath his car like a waitress with Tiger Woods.
      All I know is that it'll be driven by The Stig.

    5. Re:Explanation by Chris+Burke · · Score: 4, Funny

      How exactly is the bravery implemented? What if next it decides to "brave" global domination?

      Don't worry! The scientists have that covered.

      To have bravery, you first must have fear. So the first and most difficult step was to program the car to be afraid all the time. Then, to get bravery, they simply program it to ignore its fear when it's driving up Pike's Peak.

      The rest of the time it's a total scaredy-car. If you think it's trying to dominate the globe, just shout "boo!" at it and it'll drive off to cower in the corner and cry.

      --

      The enemies of Democracy are
    6. Re:Explanation by mrdoogee · · Score: 1, Funny

      Pfft. Call me when she's making sexually suggestive domain registrar commercials.

  3. meh by OglinTatas · · Score: 4, Funny

    I already saw this on Speed Racer.
    Spoiler Alert!
    Speed wins the race anyway, and helps Inspector Detector catch the nefarious people behind the robot car

    --
    More music, fewer hits
  4. W1N vs. FA1L by S-4'N3 · · Score: 4, Funny

    I am not certain what will be more astonishing: watching this succeed or watching it fail.

    1. Re:W1N vs. FA1L by Chris+Burke · · Score: 4, Funny

      (assuming some safety precautions preventing anyone from being killed).

      Good point!

      The summary only says that the car won't have a driver. I hope they remember to have the passengers get out, too!

      --

      The enemies of Democracy are
    2. Re:W1N vs. FA1L by Chris+Burke · · Score: 2, Funny

      That's a computer?!

      Then what's the thing that balances my checkbook and snorts all my coke?!

      --

      The enemies of Democracy are
  5. Yikes! by neiras · · Score: 3, Funny

    The researchers have programmed Shelley to handle like a racecar by using a set of computer calculations called algorithms

    See what happens when you let Liberal Arts majors playing journalist direct the public's understanding of technical things?

    Soon: "John's car rolled out of his driveway all by itself and hit a fire hydrant, honey! He should sue General Motors for faulty algorithms!"

  6. Re:Note to Self by couchslug · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Observe trials from uphill side of road."

    It's an Audi, not a Toyota!

    --
    "This post is an artistic work of fiction and falsehood. Only a fool would take anything posted here as fact."
  7. Current achievements? by BoppreH · · Score: 2, Funny

    Shelley has reached speeds of 130 miles per hour without a driver on testing grounds at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

    I could do much better with a brick.

    1. Re:Current achievements? by BoppreH · · Score: 3, Funny

      You know, you could just put the brick ON THE PEDAL OF THE CAR.

      Given a straight and long enough track, of course.

  8. Hill climbing algorithm by wurtwurt · · Score: 2, Funny

    My understanding is that this is generally solved but doesn't really lead to anything interesting unless you know the right formulas for the for the domain. Any news on whether they got passed formula 1?

  9. Re:Audi?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Big engine, good tranny, four wheel drive.

    I'll thank you to leave my mother/father out of this.