About the Race

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) created the Grand Challenge in response to a congressional mandate that by the year 2015, one-third of operational ground combat vehicles must be autonomous.

It funded the 2004 and 2005 Grand Challenges, offering millions of dollars in cash prizes to spur innovation and push the limits of research. Those earlier challenges proved that it was possible for a robotic vehicle to autonomously navigate terrain between cities. The new DARPA Urban Challenge is intended to prove that unmanned vehicles can navigate successfully in urban environments.

DARPA provided at the outset of the challenge up to $1 million in funding each for 11 "Track A" teams. Like other Track B teams, Sting Racing is entirely self-funded.

Eighty-nine teams qualified initially. In July, DARPA conducted site visits and ran the vehicles through their paces. In early August, the field was narrowed to 35 who were selected to compete in the semi-finals, known as the National Qualifying Event. That event takes place at the former George Air Force Base in Victorville, Calif., from October 26-31. The top 20 finalists — as decided by DARPA — will be announced on November 1. The final race will take place on November 3, and winners will be announced November 4. Learn more about the race on the DARPA Urban Challenge web site.

Prizes

First place: $2 million
Second place: $1 million
Third place: $500,000

The National Qualifying Event (NQE)

The NQE determines which vehicles will be invited to the final Urban Challenge.

At the outset of the NQE, each vehicle will undergo a safety test to ensure that the emergency stop, or E-stop, system is correctly integrated into the vehicle. DARPA will verify the Run, Pause, and Disable E-stop modes. DARPA will also verify the Manual E-stop function. To continue in the competition, a vehicle must pass these tests.

The NQE itself will consist of two phases, according to DARPA.

Phase 1: Advanced Navigation Test
In this test, the vehicle must demonstrate that it can satisfy the advanced navigation criteria established by DARPA. Vehicles won't have to interact with other moving vehicles, but will have to show that they can operate safely in a complex urban environment. They will have to complete all course runs and satisfy all criteria in order to move to the next level, phase 2. DARPA retains the right to advance "DARPA may allow other vehicles to continue in the competition at its discretion."

Phase 2: Advanced Traffic Test
In this phase, the vehicle must demonstrate that it can navigate in traffic, interacting with other moving vehicles. This phase will consist of individual tests that will simulate the environment the vehicle will face in the final event. DARPA will provide the navigation files and will drive the vehicles that the robotic vehicles must interact with. The testing is designed to approximate scenarios that the vehicles may encounter in the final. According to DARPA, vehicles that satisfy all technical criteria for these tests will be invited to participate in the Urban Challenge final event as finalists. Again, DARPA may invite additional vehicles to participate at its discretion.

Rules

The rules of the Urban Challenge are extensive and quite specific.

DARPA states the rules generally in this way:

The Urban Challenge is constructed to determine the most capable vehicle, in terms of both vehicle speed and its ability to follow rules and demonstrate the capabilities described in the Technical Criteria.
Vehicle speed is not the sole criterion. To qualify to win the event, a vehicle must complete the 60-mile course in less than six hours, avoid collisions, achieve all checkpoints, and obey the rules.
Vehicles may finish the course in under six hours, but not qualify as winners.
Vehicles that are impeding the smooth flow of traffic, driving dangerously, cause an accident, or are not making satisfactory progress may be pulled from the course at DARPA's discretion."

Course

DARPA has selected the former George Air Force Base in Victorville, Calif., as the site of the Urban Challenge. The base provides a mock-urban setting. Vehicles will be required to traverse a 60-mile course in six hours. That course is intended to mimic that of a supply convoy, and vehicles will be given a number of waypoints or checkpoints they must visit during the race. They must obey California traffic code, and interact with other vehicles, both manned and autonomous, and other traffic obstacles.

Schedule

The DARPA Urban Challenge will take place in Victorville, Calif., at the site of the former George Air Force Base on November 3, 2007, at 7 a.m. PT. The National Qualification Event (NQE) will take place at the same location, October 26-31, 2007.

October 26, 7 a.m. PT — NQE Opening Ceremony
October 26, 8 a.m - 12 p.m PT — E-Stop testing
October 26, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. PT — NQE Operations
October 27-31, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. PDT — NQE Operations
November 1, 10 a.m. PT — Announcement of finalists
November 2, 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. PT — Practice starts (mandatory for all teams)
November 3, 7 a.m. PT — Urban Challenge event starts
November 4, 10 a.m. PT — Awards ceremony

History & SAIC's Previous Participation

The 2007 Urban Challenge follows DARPA's 2004 and 2005 Grand Challenges. SAIC participated in both previous Grand Challenge events as a member of the Red Team. Although the 2004 Grand Challenge had no winner, the Red Team vehicle traveled farther than any other.

In 2005, the Red Team entered two vehicles, both of which placed in the top three. They achieved top speeds in excess of 50 mph and sustained off-road navigation speeds greater than 30 mph. Software developed during previous Grand Challenges has been adapted for use in the current vehicle.

The Urban Challenge provides the opportunity for Georgia Tech and SAIC to share and pool knowledge, talent, experience, and shared commitment. The collaboration gives SAIC access to what great universities like Georgia Tech produce: ideas and smart people. It gives Georgia Tech, a rising star in robotics, access to SAIC’s "real-world" experience in driving solutions to the most difficult challenges.

The 2007 Urban Challenge will bring state-of-the-art autonomous vehicles out of the lab and into the city, where they will be tested to the limits — and Sting Racing will be there every step of the way.