What is DARPA?

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is the central research and development organization for the Department of Defense. DARPA's mission is to do advanced research and their primary responsibility is to conceive, explore, and demonstrate breakthrough concepts and advanced technologies.

DARPA’s history is one of impressive technological innovation, including Saturn rocket, the Internet (which began as Arpanet in the 1970s), the Global Positioning System (GPS), the Stealth fighter, and the Predator and Global Hawk robotic aircraft.

What is the DARPA Grand Challenge?

The DARPA Urban Challenge will be a field test intended to accelerate research and development in autonomous ground vehicles that will help save American lives on the battlefield. Both the DARPA Urban Challenge National Qualification Event on October 26-31, 2007, and the final event on Saturday, November 3, 2007, will take place at the urban military training facility located on the former George Air Force Base in Victorville, California. Austin Robot Technology is one of 36 semi-finalists invited by DARPA to attend the 2007 qualifying event.

The Urban Challenge will feature autonomous ground vehicles maneuvering in a mock city environment, executing simulated military supply missions while merging into moving traffic, navigating traffic circles, negotiating busy intersections, and avoiding obstacles. DARPA is offering $2M for the fastest qualifying vehicle and $1M and $500,000 for second and third place, respectively.

This program is an outgrowth of two previous DARPA Grand Challenge autonomous vehicle competitions. The first Grand Challenge event was held in March 2004 and featured a 142-mile desert course. Fifteen autonomous ground vehicles attempted the course and no vehicle finished. In the 2005 Grand Challenge, four autonomous vehicles successfully completed a 132-mile desert route under the required 10-hour limit.

Austin Robot Technology also showed well at the 2005 Grand Challenge. Close to 200 teams entered the competition and ART was one of 43 semi-finalists invited by DARPA to attend the qualifying event.

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