AIMing for Automated Vehicles
The U.S. armed forces have had smart weapons for a long time now. It is just recently that they realized they need smart supply trucks. Hi, I am Paul F. Grayson, Team Leader of American Industrial Magic (AIM), one of last remaining teams of the 390 teams that worked on vehicles for the DARPA Grand Challenge series of unmanned vehicle races. AIM is working to save soldiers lives by searching for ways to make driverless Army supply trucks affordable. AIM is funded by donations from individuals like you who want to speed up the fielding of this life-saving technology. With this blog, you can look over my shoulder while I and my team work on this important technology. You will get a chance to look into the world of unmanned robotic vehicles, see some of the things that I see, and puzzle over the challenges of making vehicles driverless. Welcome to my world!
Linda Graham
Monday, 04-04-11 23:07
What a great practical eye opener for the students to hear real life experiences of the end result of an each man for himself attitude vs. the teamwork attitude. This presentation worked for the time. The next test of teamwork was when the actual competition took place. I can attest to this team's teamwork at the event in Troy this past weekend April 1-2. I witnessed each student that attended with this team and their willingness to each do whatever they could to help the team. There were a variety of strengths represented by each of the students and each did their part and some stepping out of their comfort zone to do what needed to be done. The team walked away with the Most Inspirational Rookie Team trophy.
Linda Graham
Friday, 04-02-11 09:05
What a privilege it is to work with these talented, bright and enthusiastic youths involved in this competition! Big thanks to all the mentors and sponsors that are helping them along the way.
Greg Tompkins
Thursday, 03-02-11 13:30
Thanks for the update on the Robotics Competition Paul!
Is this at Traverse City Central again this year?
houseguy4
Thursday, 03-02-11 01:06
Don't forget - Porsche has a good self driver, too. Maybe we'll see driverless NASCAR!
Jon Melia
Friday, 21-01-11 12:57
We are Team Alchemy #3141 from Torrington CT. We are competing this year also. Mr Grayson has made a wonderful blog entry and has described this year's game and specifications very well. We are all working very hard during this "Build Season" and it will be very good for the "kids" to see this blog and know that there is much more support for them out there that they are only finding out about little by little. I hope everyone else who helps and/or mentors a team will post here also. I will be back later to post our progress as we near competition.
Jon Melia
Manufacturing Engineer
Bicron Electronics