Posted by admin on Feb 23, 2007 in
Uncategorized While the DARPA Grand Challenge (and upcoming Urban Challenge) are both fascinating tests of engineering skill, there hasn’t been much focus on the ultimate use of the resulting technology. DARPA, after all, is the research and development branch of the US Department of Defense. Alternative blog Infoshop is featuring a 2-part analysis of the ethics of using robots for warfighting. No matter what your views on the subject, this is a well-thought-out document; Part 1 leads off with Asimov’s First Law of Robotics.
Infoshop News – Social and Ethical Implications of Warfare Robotics
Posted by admin on Dec 28, 2005 in
Uncategorized WIRED has an excellent article in the January 2006 issue charting the path to victory of the Stanford DARPA Grand Challenge team. Read the story here.
Posted by admin on Jun 21, 2005 in
Uncategorized After completing on-site inspections of the 118 Grand Challenge entrants, DARPA has selected 40 teams to participate in the National Qualifying Event, to be held in California on September 27 (press release here).
DARPA has posted a map showing the home locations of all of the semifinalists. Of these 40 teams, 16 are located in California; 11 of those are in the Los Angeles area. Another 5 teams call Virginia home. New York has only one entry, and Massachusetts, surprisingly, has none.
Posted by admin on Mar 14, 2005 in
Uncategorized Barring any further updates, it appears that 70 teams completed the first 5 stages of the application process by the March 11 deadline. Depending on how you count, this is either double or triple the number of teams that reached this stage last year. The next major milestone comes on April 4, when DARPA will announce which of these teams will receive a site visit to see their vehicle in action. The site visit is the final qualification step for the 2005 Grand Challenge event in October.
Posted by admin on Mar 2, 2005 in
Uncategorized An incredible 195 teams completed parts 1 and 2 of the application process for the 2005 Grand Challenge before the February 11 deadline. A complete listing of accepted teams can be found on the Grand Challenge team information page. The teams have another nine days until the March 11 deadline for completion of parts 3-5. It’s worth noting that four early-birds have already submitted their complete applications: Axion Racing, Mojavaton, and Red Teams One and Too from CMU.
Posted by admin on Sep 10, 2004 in
Uncategorized If you’re in the market for motor controllers for your Grand Challenge vehicle, Roboteq is offering a 20% discount to verified 2005 entrants. In return, you’ll have to hand over some logo space on your vehicle. Sounds like a fair deal …
I haven’t played with any of their products, but their AX2550 motor controllers look like just the ticket for powering steering, brake and accelerator actuators. The 2550 can accept input via analog joystic, R/C radio, or serial interface; it’s easy to imagine these different modes being useful during development, pre-race staging and autonomous operation. For a little more money, the AX2850 adds the capability to take input from an optical encoder, for more precise position control.
According to the Roboteq web page, four of the 2004 GC finalist teams used their hardware. Any comments from people who’ve tried these products in the field?
Posted by admin on Aug 31, 2004 in
Uncategorized Twin brothers Michael and Geoffrey Howe are preparing to enter their home-built twin-tracked vehicle, dubbed Rip Saw, in next year’s Grand Challenge. The platform looks solid: 3,500 pounds of tank treads, steel space frame, and a V-8 engine; all reportedly capable of reaching 60 mph. The Howes are now working on the hard part — navigation and control electronics to make Rip Saw go. Read more at MaineToday.com.
Posted by admin on Aug 31, 2004 in
Uncategorized Applications for the 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge are now available for download. If you fill out and submit the 1-page Part 1 (basically just name and address), you’ll be placed on DARPA’s mailing list and team tracking page. Teams have until February 11 to submit the first two parts of the application.
