I am happy, of course, that Stanley won. But what is most impressive to me is how much competition raises the bar for everyone. Just 18 months ago, the 'best' team went 8 miles. This year some of the 'weaker' teams went 30 miles! I was at Robonexus when the victory was announced. Almost all the "experts" I talked to there thought at best, one team had a 50/50 chance of finishing. That so many finished, and that so many did so much better than expected took almost everyone by surprise. While this challenge probably won't go down in history the same way the Wright Brother's first flight or Lindberg's crossing of the Atlantic did, clearly this is a significant milestone.

Besides congratulating the winners and all the participants, we can rejoice in the knowledge of what competition for the "impossible dream" has given us.
DARPA, for a small investment now has many different ways to solve the problem of navigating autonomously over desert terrain. Sometimes small incremental improvements over time, lead to "tipping point" breakthroughs.
It also illustrates the 'human' side of technological innovation. I am certain that any team that reached the finals was led by passionate, devoted people, capable of meticulous detailed planning, and with a dedication to persevere and overcome whatever obstacles they may have encountered.

These principles are ones that all FIRST teams can respect and emulate.