Sandstorm |
|
H1ghlander |
PRIMM, NEV-黑料正能量's autonomous robot racers,
Sandstorm and H1ghlander, finished in second- and third-place, respectively,
in the $2-million DARPA Grand Challenge, the 131.6-mile run through the
obstacle-laden Mojave Desert that took place near Primm, Nev., Oct. 8.
The Red Team's Sandstorm recorded the second fastest pace in the
contest-seven hours, four minutes and 50 seconds for an average speed of 18.6
miles per hour. Red Team Too's H1ghlander covered the course in the
third-fastest time-seven hours and 14 minutes for an average speed of 18.2
miles per hour.
First place went to the Stanford Racing Team, whose robot, Stanley,
finished the contest in six hours and 53 minutes for an average speed of
19.1 miles per hour.
Sandstorm crosses the finish line. |
"Sandstorm was a surprising second because its strategy was to creep
for a reliable finish and only the winner beat its pace," said Red Team
leader William "Red" Whittaker. "Sandstorm was sent forth with a
conservative plan, understanding that it would operate well below its peak
abilities. But it was right on the leader's tail. It ran a perfect race."
Whittaker said H1ghlander was a surprising third because its strategy
was to cruise for an easy win. He said it was planned to easily finish a
half hour ahead of the field, but that was not to be.
"It started from the pole position and intended to steadily stretch the
gap. Five hours into the race H1ghlander was leading, but it was clear
that it was off its pace, or wounded," Whittaker said. "Stanley
steadily tracked H1ghlander down and took the lead before the mountains.
H1ghlander lost its legs and limped in the climb, but blazed in the descent.
Its navigation was hot-on, but it didn't have the steam."
Whittaker said the technology unfolded by the Grand Challenge will open
doors for autonomous mobile robots that could only be imagined just two
years ago. "There will be technological leaps in agricultural production and harvesting vehicles and those involved in highway construction, timbering, mining, everything down to the delivery of mail," Whittaker said.
The Stanford Racing Team was led by former Carnegie Mellon Professor Sebastian Thrun and Mike Montemerlo, who earned his doctorate at Carnegie Mellon. Thrun and Whittaker were collaborators on several projects at Carnegie Mellon, including Groundhog, a robot created to explore and map abandoned mines. Whittaker was Montemerlo's faculty adviser.
For more information on Sandstorm, H1ghlander and the Red Team, see
For more on the Grand Challenge, visit
Anne Watzman
October 9, 2005
