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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Carnegie Mellon Wins $2M in Robot Car Race

Only three of 11 cars finished the 60 miles in 6 hours allotted

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(Newser) – A robot car built by Carnegie Mellon University and General Motors beat out ten others to win a race for self-driving vehicles, race officials announced today. The cars had 6 hours to complete a 60-mile course—including missions like parking and merging into traffic—in pursuit of a $2 million grand prize. Second-place finisher Standford University won $1 million and third-place Virginia Tech took home $500,000.

Cars in the DARPA Urban Challenge use software to process information gleaned from sensors and GPS units to navigate without any human input. The race is run by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency as part of a plan to develop autonomously controlled ground combat vehicles. This is the first year it's taken place in an urban setting, rather than off-road desert courses.

Decal workers put stickers on a VW Passat called Junior, the Stanford University team's self-driving car entered into the 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge, at a decal shop in Redwood City, Calif., Monday, Oct. 22, 2007.
Decal workers put stickers on a VW Passat called Junior, the Stanford University team's self-driving car entered into the 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge, at a decal shop in Redwood City, Calif., Monday, Oct....   (Associated Press)
This photo released by General Motors shows the Carnegie Mellon University Tartan Racing Team, with its Chevrolet Tahoe Boss entry, taking the checkered flag after completing the 60-mile course Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007 in Victorville, California. The Carnegie Mellon University Tartan Racing Team walked away with a $2 million prize...
This photo released by General Motors shows the Carnegie Mellon University Tartan Racing Team, with its Chevrolet Tahoe Boss entry, taking the checkered flag after completing the 60-mile course Saturday,...   (Associated Press)
"Junior," Stanford's entry, finished in second place, about 20 minutes behind Carnegie Mellon's "Boss." (PRNewsFoto/Volkswagen of America, Inc.)   (Associated Press)
Ganymed Stanek, left, watches Mark Eldridge, lower right, put decals on a VW Passat called Junior, the Stanford University team's self-driving car entered into the DARPA Urban Challenge, at a decal shop in Redwood City, Calif. Monday, Oct. 22, 2007.
Ganymed Stanek, left, watches Mark Eldridge, lower right, put decals on a VW Passat called Junior, the Stanford University team's self-driving car entered into the DARPA Urban Challenge, at a decal shop...   (Associated Press)
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DARPA Urban Challenge overview
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

Live-blogging the DARPA Urban Challenge
Popular Mechanics

None of top three finishers incurred penalties for violating traffic laws
Wired

NOVA documentary on a previous year's race
PBS

DARPA Grand Challenge on Wikipedia
Wikipedia


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California • Virginia Tech • General Motors • Stanford University • car race • driving • robotics • Carnegie Mellon University • DARPA • Urban Challenge

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