Overclocker

Drivers not required: This robotically controlled Volkswagen Touareg, named Stanley, is now on display at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.


Stanley crosses the finish line at the DARPA Grand Challenge last fall — and wins the $2 million prize for completing a 132-mile desert course with no driver inside.

Date posted: 07-14-2006

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Emblazoned on the side of Stanley, the superhero unmanned SUV, are the words "Drivers not required."

The robotic Volkswagen Touareg, which performed with ease on a 132-mile Nevada race course last fall, will be on display this summer in the Robotics Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

Stanley defeated 22 other robotic vehicles in the grueling championship race, using only onboard sensors and navigation equipment. The DARPA Grand Challenge is an annual competition and field test aimed at the development of "autonomous ground vehicles." Stanley completed the course last October in 6 hours and 54 minutes, a historic performance. In 2004, no vehicle completed the route or even lasted longer than seven miles.

Stanley is built from a stock diesel-powered VW Touareg R5, modified with full-body skid plates and a reinforced front bumper. The company says all processing takes place on six Pentium M computers, and measurements are incorporated from GPS.

What this means to you: Stanley is not only more interesting than looking at dinosaur bones and cave paintings; it points the way to "smarter" cars.

Source: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...cleId=116113#2

Stage3

iTrader: (3)

That's awesome! I still think that this is one hellovan achievement...

tzu911

132 miles in 7 hours....