DARPA Grand Challenge Photos

[Kevin Watson]

Well, today was the first day for DGC inspections and qualifying runs. Team Caltech is currently in the lead. In fact, only two teams managed to get their 'bots off of the starting line. Palos Verdes High School was the other team that managed to do at least part of the qualifying course. Team Caltech was doing beautifully until we ran into a wall two-thirds of the way through. Turns out that the portion of the code that puts the 'bot in reverse to back out of a cul-de-sac was commented out late last night while testing (DOH!). Anyway, we're pretty confident that we'll make it through our second run on Wednesday. The Red Team showed up and worked on their 'bot all day. Hopefully we'll get to see them run tomorrow. As things were kinda frantic today, I only got to take a few photos. I'll try to get some more tomorrow.

-Kevin

Here's Bob (Team Caltech's entry) just out of the starting gate:



Here's Bob doin' his thing:



Red Team's 'bot:





Ohio State's Entry (this bad-boy is waaay over the top):

[sanddrag]

Man that last one is totally awesome. But I guess yours moves so that is what counts. We'll be out there on Wednsday at about 10:30 AM on our way to Phoenix.

[Alex Ko]

Kevin,
Do you know if there's a webcast anywhere? or a central web site with pics/updates?

[Kevin Watson]

Originally Posted by Alex Ko

Kevin,
Do you know if there's a webcast anywhere? or a central web site with pics/updates?

I have no idea what DARPA has planned. You might check their website.

-Kevin

[miketwalker]

Wow, there were only 3 entries? I would've assumed many more people would have gotten in on that. Good luck to you guys! I hope Bob does awesome!

[Kevin Watson]

Originally Posted by miketwalker

Wow, there were only 3 entries? I would've assumed many more people would have gotten in on that. Good luck to you guys! I hope Bob does awesome!

No, there are over twenty teams.

-Kevin

[David the bomb]

Dude, those are awesome. I think I saw something on the news about this. Is that true or no. It might have been something different. Anyway, those are awesome

[sanddrag]

What is team Caltech doing for gas storage? I didn't see any large tanks or anything. Is the stock tank enough? Also, if the engine dies, do you have automatic restart attempts? Last, did you modify the suspension at all. Also, I'm curious of how it shifts (what type of linkage and actuator).

[Kevin Watson]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

What is team Caltech doing for gas storage?

Well, it's optimistic, but we do have an aux. fuel tank that can be switched under computer control.

Originally Posted by sanddrag

Also, if the engine dies, do you have automatic restart attempts?

Yes.

Originally Posted by sanddrag

Last, did you modify the suspension at all.

Yes, it's been lifted four inches and we have some very cool kevlar lined B.F. Goodrich tires (the same ones used on military humvees).

Originally Posted by sanddrag

Also, I'm curious of how it shifts (what type of linkage and actuator).

We're using an UltraMotion linear stepper motor that handles the shifting.

-Kevin

[The Lucas]

The Miracle Workerz (Team 365) and I give our full support to Team Virginia Tech. On Team Virginia Tech, there are 2 Miracle Workerz Alumni from our rookie year (2000), who are also sons of engineers on our team. This is a great example of how FIRST prepares you for real world engineering problem. From a robot which scoops balls and hangs under human control to one that navigates the desert autonomously, it is a natural progression.

Good Luck to Team Caltech and all the other teams as well. I sincerely hope that someone succeeds in this task. It is a great test of American ingenuity; one I am sure we will pass.

Kevin, if you have any pictures of the Virginia Tech team and their robot "Cliff" could you please post them.

[Aignam]

Good luck with the competition, guys! I can only imagine the fundraising for that project...some of those vehicles look like NASCAR Cars...

[Daniel Brim]

Originally Posted by David the bomb

Dude, those are awesome. I think I saw something on the news about this. Is that true or no. It might have been something different. Anyway, those are awesome

There was a story on CNN headline news about a week ago about University of Louisiana - Lafayette's entry.

My full support goes out to all of the participants (especially PV high, gonna have to root for the young guns).

[tkwetzel]

There are all sorts of good news stories that I have seen about this. Those vehicles are so cool. They are sort of going to act like the rovers on Mars when the engineers tell them to go somewhere and take it's on path to get there. I would love a webcast or other live footage, even if it is after the event.

Kevin, if you have any pictures of the Virginia Tech team and their robot "Cliff" could you please post them.

I found pics on their site here

I would also like to root for the young gun high schoolers and their Acura MDX named "Doom Buggy". I do believe that they won't win the competition, however, that team is just like FIRST teams. The students are all getting great hands-on knowledge and having fun in a competition. They are getting the inspiration that will hopefully lead them into the science and technology fields.

The media coverage of this has said that about 100 teams applied, but DARPA chose only 25 to compete, because they could not handle more than that.

[Andrew Rudolph]

Looks awesome, If they have anything about it like webcasts or anything it would be during the weekend that we compete. :-(