Open Robotics University is registered for the track C “Virtual Robotics Challenge” which focuses on using DARPA simulator to design the robot. Top six teams from the Virtual Robotics Competition in May of 2013 will be provided hardware in June 2013 for the track D robot hardware design competition. Whether placed in top six or not, Open Robotics University is also pre-registered for the track D competition. Which means the university would provide is own hardware for Track D robot design. The completion will be judged early 2014. The winner will receive $2,000,000.00. Open Robotics University has a global footprint but headquartered in Ohio. Since it is based on open source model (
www.openroboticeuniversity.net) any talented individuals can join its team. The team’s name on DARPA tracking spreadsheet for the competition is “ORU Disaster Response” It plans to use Google Hangout on AIR as medium of communication for team members to develop software for the competition. For the hardware portion, it would use combination of Google handout and Meetup for hardware development. Having served as both coach and mentor with FIRST, I think top notch members of the FIRST community working with top notch Open Robotics University’s global open source roboticist is capable of winning the DARPA Robotics Challenge. Active participants would share in the prize money. If you are interested, please post a message here.