October 3, 2005. Copyright 2005, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Driverless trucks vie for $2 million military prize in U.S. desert

By Neil Winton

LONDON, October 3, Graphic News: If you donÕt have much faith in high technology, keep away from the desert in the south west of the United States on Saturday. (October 8)

On that day, 20 huge vehicles will race across the desert from a gambling town called Primm, Nevada, on a 175-mile (282 kms) route which will traverse into California before heading back to the start. Details of the route wonÕt be revealed until two hours before the start. If youÕre not impressed, or frightened, just bear this in mind. These massive military vehicles will be unmanned, and will be relying on artificial intelligence and satellite navigation to follow the course.

And thereÕs another reason for tourists and campers to be wary. 18 months ago a similar race was run, and the most successful competitor -- a converted Humvee nicknamed ÒSandstormÓ, built by robotics professor William ÒRedÓ WhittakerÕs Red Team Racing, from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh -- only managed to go 7-1/2 miles (12 kms) before breaking down. Some quickly tottered into gulleys, one just stalled, another managed to tangle itself to death in barbed wire.

The last race, which posed natural and man-made obstacles, was for a prize of $1 million. This year the U.S. Army, has doubled it to $2 million. The winner will also point the way for the PentagonÕs Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop a fleet of unmanned vehicles through its Future Combat Systems programme.

DARPA director Tony Tether said that one day driverless vehicles would carry supplies for the U.S. military during a conflict. The Pentagon wants one-third of the militaryÕs vehicles to be unmanned by 2015.

ÒIn future with this technology those trucks will be able to drive themselves and we will save countless lives,Ó Tether said. 

The favourite to win the so-called Grand Challenge is an improved ÒSandstormÓ. Carnegie Mellon has a second competitor, another converted Humvee called ÒH1ghlanderÓ. Stanford Racing TeamÕs modified VW Touareg SUV fancies its chances after recently driving itself 200 miles through the Arizona desert. Other entrants include modified saloon cars and military trucks sporting the latest technology. 

Over 43 vehicles have taken part in a five-day semi-final competition at the California Speedway in Fontana. Of these 20 vehicles will go forward to the main event. They will use autonomous robotic controls and Òdrive-by-wireÓ technology linked to computers to control steering, braking and speed. Sensors talk to global positioning satellites which pinpoint fixed physical obstacles like canyons, trenches and rivers. Cameras look ahead to spot and avoid moveable dangers like animals, people and other vehicles, and can tell the difference between a cactus and tumbleweed. They can figure out whether a chasm is too dangerous to cross.

Two hours before the start DARPA will give each competitor a CD containing the route. LetÕs hope that the computers are clever enough to spot holidaying campers, as well as deep ravines, and barbed wire. 

/ENDS