DARPA

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency ( DARPA ) is the central research and development organization for the Department of Defense (DoD). DARPA's mission is to leverage ingenuity and research to develop transformational technologies that give our armed forces a decisive edge.

DARPA Grand Challenge

Created in response to a Congressional and DoD mandate, DARPA's Grand Challenge was a field test intended to accelerate research and development in autonomous ground vehicles that will help save American lives on the battlefield. The Grand Challenge brought together individuals and organizations from industry, the R&D community, government, the armed services, academia, students, backyard inventors, and automotive enthusiasts in the pursuit of a technological challenge.

The First Grand Challenge: Across the Mojave

The 2004 Grand Challenge field test of autonomous ground vehicles ran from Barstow, California to Primm, Nevada and offered a $1 million prize. From the qualifying round at the California Speedway, 15 finalists emerged to attempt the Grand Challenge. However, the prize went unclaimed as no vehicles were able to complete the difficult desert route.

The Second Grand Challenge

The 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge was held on October 8, 2005 in the desert Southwest. The route was a challenging 132 mile course through unforgiving terrain. GrayMatter's Kat-5 finished only 37 minutes behind the first car, earning fourth place. Only five vehicles finished the course. GrayMatter is now working towards the next challenge.

The Urban Challenge

The next DARPA event, the Urban Challenge, will occur on November 3, 2007, in an urban environment, and will present the competitors' vehicles with all of the challenges associated with city driving. Team Gray is looking forward to competing and hopes to win. Team Gray's site visit is coming soon.