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DARPA
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
is the central research and development organization for the Department
of Defense (DoD). DARPA’s mission is to leverage ingenuity and
research to develop transformational technologies that give our armed forces a
decisive edge.
DARPA Grand Challenge
Created in response to a Congressional and DoD mandate, DARPA Grand
Challenge is a field test intended to accelerate research and development in
autonomous ground vehicles that will help save American lives on the
battlefield. The Grand Challenge brings together individuals and
organizations from industry, the R&D community, government, the armed
services, academia, students, backyard inventors, and automotive enthusiasts in
the pursuit of a technological challenge.
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Schedule |
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June 8, 2004 |
Grand Challenge 2005 Announcement |
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March 11, 2005 |
Application Deadline (CLOSED) |
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April 4, 2005 |
Site Visit Announcement |
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June 6, 2005 |
Semifinalist Announcement |
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Sept. 27-Oct. 5, 2005 |
National Qualification Event
California Speedway (Fontana, California) |
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October 8, 2005 |
Grand Challenge Event |
Grand Challenge 2004
The Grand Challenge 2004
field test of autonomous ground vehicles ran from Barstow, California to Primm,
Nevada offered a $1 million prize. From the qualifying round at the
California Speedway, 15 finalists emerged to attempt the Grand Challenge.
However, the prize went unclaimed as no vehicles were able to complete the
difficult desert route.
Grand Challenge 2005
The Grand
Challenge 2005 was held on October 8, 2005 in the desert Southwest. The
Stanford Racing Team won the $2 million prize with the winning time of 6 hours,
53 minutes. A total of five teams completed the Grand Challenge course which
was 132 miles
over desert terrain. Further
information on Grand Challenge 2005 can be found in the rules.
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