Control Engineering

Paul Grayson

It all begins now.
October 24, 2007

The DARPA Urban Challenge will take place at the Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville from October 26 to November 4, 2007. All events are open to the public and are free of charge.

At the National Qualification Event (NQE), October 26 – October 31, 35 teams and their vehicles will compete in a qualification round for a chance to compete in the finals. Rigorous vehicle testing will take place of find the safest and most capable robots.

At the Urban Challenge Event (UCE) on November 3, 20 robots will launch starting at 7:00 AM to attempt to complete a challenging 60-mile course in under 6 hours. $3.5M in prizes will be awarded to the fastest and best vehicles that are able to finish the while obeying traffic laws and performing maneuvers such as navigating merging into traffic, navigating traffic circles, negotiating busy intersections, and avoiding obstacles.

Spectators will be able to meet the teams during NQE in their pit areas. For UCE, spectator viewing areas enable up-close views of vehicle starts and finishes, merges, and passing. Video will also be provided to give live action from the rest of the course.

Schedule (Pacific Time)

Thursday, 10/25 
   8:45 AM-12:00 noon: DARPA coin presentations to teams in 100-200 pits (photo-op)
   12:30-4:00 PM: DARPA coin presentations to teams in 300-400 pits (photo-op)
   3:00-5:00 PM Registration at the former George Air Force Base
   5:00-6:00PM Team leader meeting in the Event Tent

Friday, 10/26 National Qualification Event (NQE) Opening Day
   5:00 AM-4:00 PM Media registration
   6:00 AM Opening press briefing
   7:00 AM NQE Opening Ceremony/photo-op
   7:30 AM-12:00 PM Vehicle inspection and E-Stop testing
   12:20-6:00 PM Practice area open
   2:00-2:30 PM Satellite feed of NQE opening highlights, vehicle footage

Sat. 10/27-Tue. 10/30 NQE continues
   7:00 AM-4:00 PM Media registration
   9:00 AM Daily press briefing (Note: 10/28 briefing starts at 8:30 a.m.)
   7:30 AM-6:00 PM Robot testing

Wed. 10/31 NQE closing day
   7:00 AM-4:00 PM Media registration
   7:30 AM-6:00PM Robot testing

Thur. 11/1 
   7:00 AM-9:00 AM Media registration
   TBA Announcement of finalists, press briefing to follow

Fri. 11/2 
   9:00 AM-4:00 PM Media registration
   5:00 PM-8:00 PM Kick-Off barbecue

Sat. 11/3 Urban Challenge Event
   4:30 AM Media registration begins
   4:30 AM-8:00 AM Event day breakfast
   5:00 AM Press briefing
   6:30 AM Opening ceremony
   7:00 AM Urban Challenge Event, live webcast begins
   12:00 noon Satellite feed of vehicle starts, main event highlights

Sun. 11/4 
   8:00 AM Recognition of finalists
   10:00 AM Awards ceremony, press briefing to follow

Location

Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA) is located on the former George Air Force Base in Victorville, California. Online directions may be obtained using the address:

     18425 Starfighter Street
     Victorville, CA 92394

Linda and Tom Graham, researcher and photographer representing AMERICAN INDUSTRIAL MAGIC and Control Engineering Magazine are on the ground in Victorville gathering information and pictures for the readers of this colunmn.  Stay tuned for developments and the story of their adventure to be recounted here.

GO ROBOTS !

Posted by Paul Grayson on October 24, 2007 | Comments (0)