Competing at the DARPA Urban Challenge is larger than winning a prize; it’s about discovery. Austin Robot Technology is passionate about the future and benefits of autonomous vehicles. This competition is compelling us to think about transportation in a different way. Right now, we’re creating something new to provide our nation with dramatic advances in support of military missions. The advances we make in the process will ultimately be used to make innovations in transportation never before possible.

Progressing to the semi-finals

On August 9, ART was selected to progress to the DARPA Urban Challenge National Qualifying Event on October 26, 2007, as a result of the team’s excellent performance during its July 17 site visit.  

The site visit, which was held at the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, required “Marvin” to perform a number of exercises using only its programmed intelligence and onboard computers. The exercises included making three-point turns, detecting and avoiding obstacles, and stopping at stop signs to wait for other manned vehicles to pass before proceeding. From that day, we've focused on the function needed to compete successfully in the nationals.