Robotic ground vehicle race planned

An autonomous robotic ground vehicle challenge is being planned for next year by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) of the U.S. Department of Defense, and the tentative course will run close to 300 miles between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

Event organizers are currently working on the design of the course to ensure it's both challenging to competitors and sensitive to the environment. Scheduled for March 13, the DARPA Grand Challenge will award a cash prize of $1 million to the team that completes the course the fastest.

The challenge is intended to accelerate the development of autonomous robotic ground vehicle technology for military applications, and is the first in a series of Grand Challenges planned by DARPA.

The top priority during the initial planning stages of the event is to develop the course, which will include a combination of off and on-road terrain that will be cleared of interfering vehicles. The route is still being finalized, and to develop the course DARPA is drawing on the expertise of SCORE International, which has more than 30 years of experience as the world's foremost desert racing producer and sanctioning body.

"We have identified several options for routes between Los Angeles and Las Vegas that are feasible and meet all of the necessary regulations," said Sal Fish, CEO/President of SCORE, who is leading route development efforts. "Now we are working closely with the appropriate federal, state and local authorities to finalize a route that is not only safe and avoids environmentally protected areas, but will also make it an interesting challenge."

Fish and several others recently spent a week in the desert near Barstow, Calif., to further plot the race route.

While applicants' technical papers are due by Oct. 14, 18 teams have already submitted applications to participate in the inaugural DARPA Grand Challenge. Those interested can visit darpa.mil/grandchallenge.

DARPA is the central research and development organization for the U.S. Department of Defense. The agency manages and directs basic and applied research and development projects for the DoD, and pursues research and technology where the risk and rewards are both very high and where success may provide dramatic advances for traditional military roles and missions.


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