Really slick. CMU/Team Red seemed to be the team to beat last time. I thought they went the furthest in 2004 but disabled their hummer as it approached too close to a cliff? Still only a short distance of total course was traversed last year. Can't wait for webcast of finals next thursday. I remember some spectacular crashes at outset last time. A bummer to see, but interesting just the same.
Team Red's site has some pics of their recent wipe out on their hummer vehicle from last week - talk about your rebuild sessions! They have two vehicles in this years challenge the military hummer from last year and an H1. They also lost some of their visual sensors this year because of a low hanging branch - not programmed for because their aren't any on the real course.
http://www.redteamracing.org/
But my favorite has to be Team Blue's motocycle - check out their vids of their robotic vehicle doing jumps or swimming! oops.
http://www.ghostriderrobot.com/
Its about the size of a Yamaha PW80! (small cycle for kids). Gutsy.
Lots of interesting details on many of the team sites all available off of the main site:
http://www.grandchallenge.org/.
Over 195 teams applied this year. 118 teams were selected for on-site visits by DARPA after reviewing submitted video from each team. Each team had to go through a standard course at the on-site with randomly added trash cans for obstacles - 40 teams were invited and another 20 alternates selected. The alternates got another on-site visit and three; Princeton University, Austin Robot Technology, and Team Underdawg were added to the 40 semifinalists. After the NQE which is on-going at this moment, 20 will advance and complete next thursday for the $2 million prize authorized by congress.
Now if I could only get our 'bot to run autonomous just for 15 seconds and do something useful!
Bud