Sting Racing: DARPA's Urban Challenge

DARPA's Urban Challenge tests the ability of competing autonomous robots to drive 60 miles in an urban setting in six hours or less. The vehicles must obey the rules of the road, and safely interact with other robot vehicles and other cars driven by people on the course. The competition is scheduled for November 3, 2007. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers, including $2,000,000 for first place.

Why is this a challenge?

The driverless robots must have the ability to sense and react to urban traffic environment, including: lane markings, intersections, other vehicles, unexpected road blockages. The robot vehicles must also have the intelligence to select the best route, and decide which vehicle has the right-of-way in normal traffic.

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