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Team Autonomous Solutions Advances in Robotic Race to Win $2 Million |
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LOGAN, UTAH, August 9, 2007 – Team Autonomous Solutions’ robotic vehicle “Ted” will compete in a unique unmanned vehicle race with a first place prize of $2 million. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced today that Team Autonomous Solutions is one of 36 teams invited to the final event of the Urban Challenge, a race that pits driverless cars against each other and the clock in a simulated urban environment. These cars must follow California highway laws, handle stop signs, intersections, speed limits, multi-lane roads, and avoid collisions with other vehicles, all without human intervention.
In two previous DARPA races, robots competed one at a time in a desert time trial. Entries had 10 hours to avoid obstacles and follow dirt roads along a 130+ mile course. After no vehicle finished in 2004, a team from Stanford took the top prize of $2 million in 2005. This year’s race ups the ante by making all the robots drive through an urban road network at the same time. It is no longer enough to miss static obstacles; now robots must judge the intentions of other drivers (human or otherwise) and react safely while following the laws. “Previous competitions were mostly about driving empty roads from Point A to Point B. This year, robots must be aware of changes in the dynamic urban environment. Driving can be very unpredictable and these machines need to make sense of it without any human help,” explains Mel Torrie, CEO of Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
To understand the world around it, the modified Toyota hybrid SUV “Ted” uses lasers and cameras to detect obstacles, other vehicles, and lane lines. A GPS system provides location and a stored roadmap helps it navigate simulated city streets. “Many teams are loading their vehicles up with expensive sensors. We’re trying to make as few changes to the vehicle as possible so we can convert it into a marketable commercial product,” says Josh Johnston, an engineer working on the project. Autonomous Solutions has already fielded over a hundred automated vehicles for factories, agriculture, and mining.
The intent of the Urban Challenge is to develop technologies to automate military convoys and improve the safety of America’s highways. To reach this point in the competition, Team Autonomous Solutions first survived a cut from 89 initial teams down to 53 that were invited to demonstrate their progress to DARPA officials in June. Based on that performance, Team Autonomous Solutions is one of 36 teams asked to participate in the final event from October 21 to November 3 in Victorville, CA. First place nets $2m, second $1m, and third $500,000.
About Team Autonomous Solutions
Team Autonomous Solutions is a collaborative effort between Autonomous Solutions, Inc, Sarnoff Corporation, and DeVivo AST, Inc. It is currently accepting sponsorships of equipment or funding in exchange for advertisement.
About Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
Autonomous Solutions is a market leader in vehicle automation, autonomous operations, and JAUS implementation. ASI designs, programs, and manufactures unmanned vehicles for a variety of military and commercial applications. ASI is one of the largest privately held robotics-focused companies in the world— employing world class computer, electrical, and mechanical engineers and support staff.
Press Contact:
Chris Brown
Director, Business Development
Autonomous Solutions, Inc
Phone: 435-755-2980
Fax: 435-752-0541
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More information:
Team Autonomous Solutions HYPERLINK "http://www.autonomoussolutions.com/darpa/" www.autonomoussolutions.com/darpa/
Autonomous Solutions, Inc HYPERLINK "http://www.autonomoussolutions.com" www.autonomoussolutions.com
Sarnoff Corporation HYPERLINK "http://www.sarnoff.com/" www.sarnoff.com
DeVivo AST, Inc. HYPERLINK "http://www.devivoast.com/" www.devivoast.com
DARPA Urban Challenge HYPERLINK "http://www.darpa.mil/grandchallenge" www.darpa.mil/grandchallenge
Team Autonomous Solutions’ Robotic Vehicle “Ted”. More photos at : HYPERLINK "http://www.autonomoussolutions.com/darpa/" www.autonomoussolutions.com/darpa
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Last Updated ( Friday, 18 April 2008 )
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