RACE PRIZE DOUBLED DEFENSE AGENCY HOSTS ROBOTIC RUN.Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer BARSTOW - A Defense Department agency will hold a second ``Grand Challenge'' race for robotic cars next year, this time doubling the prize money to $2 million. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), U.S. government agency administered by the Department of Defense (see Defense, United States Department of). , the agency that spurred development of the F-117A stealth stealth Any military technology intended to make vehicles or missiles nearly invisible to enemy radar or other electronic detection. Research in antidetection technology began soon after radar was invented. fighter and the robotic Global Hawk reconnaissance  This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling.You can assist by [ editing it] now. aircraft, will hold a second Grand Challenge race Oct. 8, 2005. As with the inaugural event, the vehicles will attempt to navigate a challenging course of varying terrain without human aid. The course will be announced later, but DARPA DARPA: see Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) The name given to the U.S. Advanced Research Projects Agency during the 1980s. It was later renamed back to ARPA. has permits good for four years to use the desert area between Barstow and Primm, Nev., the area used for the inaugural race. The first vehicle across the finish line will win $2 million. In the inaugural event, held in March, none of the vehicles went beyond eight miles on the 150-mile Barstow to Primm route. But DARPA officials said they were pleased with the innovation and enthusiasm of the competitors. ``This event is a challenge for American ingenuity,'' said DARPA's director, Anthony J. Tether tether to tie an animal up by the head or neck so that it can graze but not move away. See also barton tether. . ``It brings together individuals and organizations from the research and development community, industry, government, the armed services The Constitution authorizes Congress to raise, support, and regulate armed services for the national defense. The President of the United States is commander in chief of all the branches of the services and has ultimate control over most military matters. , academia, professional societies, and from the ranks of students, backyard inventors, and automotive enthusiasts.'' DARPA is sponsoring the event to advance technologies for future unmanned ground combat vehicles An Unmanned Ground Combat Vehicle (UGCV) is an autonomous, all terrain unmanned ground vehicle designed for combat.[1][2] Citations 1. ^ UGCV article 2. and to reach out to businesses and individuals that might not otherwise try to do business with the agency. In the inaugural event, 106 teams attempted to develop vehicles for the race, but only 15 were able to pass technical reviews to qualify for the start. DARPA anticipates greater participation in Grand Challenge 2005. An information meeting for prospective contestants is scheduled for Aug. 14 in Anaheim. Jim Skeen, (661) 267-5743 james.skeen(at)dailynews.com |
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