Vol. 2, No. 23
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October 1, 2005
Nevada's Online State News Journal
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CRIMINAL DEFENSE |
COPYWRITING
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Feature Story:
Defense Department Geeks Meet With University Geeks October 8
Nobody Will Be Sitting In The Driver's Seat In This Desert Test Of Robot Technology
by Johnny Gunn
At the end of the movie "Patton," a reporter asks General George F. Patton, Jr. about so-called weapons of the future in which human beings are not on board. Patton sneers and says war without man testing his mettle isn't something he would be interested in. I'd be willing to bet that if he were still alive, General Patton would be in Primm, Nevada on October 8. That is the date for the second of what is sure to become an annual event called the DARPA Grand Challenge. And you are invited.
When one thinks of motor vehicle racing, showing, entertaining one might think NASCAR in Las Vegas, motorcycles in Laughlin and Reno, airplanes in Reno, or even Hot August Nights in Reno. One simply doesn't include Primm. That is a shame for this is desert country at its finest with air conditioned casinos, vast panoramas of open Nevada, and now, motor car racing.
It all came together from the Defense Department's (DOD) desire to have robotic war machines capable of going into enemy territory without having anyone on board. Unmanned Predator aircraft are flown in the skies over Iraq as you are reading this, being operated by ground personnel in various places around the world including Clark County. The DOD wants ground assault robotic vehicles, and to get them they have created a unique form of competition, which includes a $2 million prize.
DARPA stands for Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, something very few of us understand or even know of, but from which their research has allowed for the publication of The Nevada Observer. Yes, Virginia, unbeknownst to a certain politician, it is DARPA that is responsible for the Internet, as we know it today.
The competition is already underway in Fontana, California as 43 semi-finalists are competing for a spot in the finals. The machines being tested are for the most part full-sized vehicles, with few having a military background. Even a robotic Volkswagen Taureg is in the field of competitors. The California Speedway competition will continue through October 5 and the field will be narrowed to 20 machines that will then be competing across desert terrain on October 8. The course is a national secret until race day but we know the event will begin and end in Primm.
WATER HAZARD --- A competitor from Grand Challenge 2004 takes on a large Nevada mud puddle. He didn't make it. In fact, none of the competitors were able to finish the challenge last year.
The Grand Challenge 2004 competition didn't end the way DOD had wanted. None of the vehicles finished the race, many drove into various rocks, fences, lakes, or just broke down. According to a press release from DARPA, "The competition will be intense and that dramatic progress over the past eighteen months in robotic ground vehicles technology will be demonstrated."
DARPA Director Anthony Tether said, "Without question, the teams participating in the (competition) this year are as good or better than the teams fielded in Grand Challenge 2004." Go to http://www.darpa.mil/grandchallenge for updates and more information on DARPA itself.
In August as competitors were testing their vehicles, site inspections were held by DARPA personnel, and Tether congratulated all those that were lining up for a chance at that $2 million. "We are deeply gratified by the extraordinary enthusiasm, resourcefulness, and ingenuity of the new robotics community that has sprung up around the country as a result of the Grand Challenge."
Calling it the Grand Challenge route, or race course, or trail of broken dreams, the DOD says the vehicles that run will be looking at fierce desert terrain over 140-170 miles. The exact course layout will be disclosed to participants two hours before the event is to begin. DARPA, thinking of the public relations factor, says make your room reservations early. Primm, Nevada is on the California border about 50 miles south of Las Vegas and features hotel-casinos, motels, restaurants, fuel facilities, and of course camping for those that prefer tents and those that would rather be in an RV.
The vehicles that will be in the competition are built and operated without federal funds. According to DARPA rules, "The vehicles must travel the course over rugged desert roads using only onboard sensors and navigation equipment to find and follow the route and avoid obstacles." There is a time limit of ten hours for the contest. In other words, speed is not part of the challenge.
Grand Challenge Program Manager Ron Kurjanowicz said, "The quality and competitiveness of the teams are further evidence of the significant technological progress that has been made since the Grand Challenge 2004."
For the competitors looking to take home $2 million, and for DARPA officials hoping to eventually come up with robotic war machines, this will be an intense and serious day. For those using the occasion for another opportunity to enjoy the Nevada desert, maybe just a little bit of partying, it will be soul satisfying. It's Mad Max coupled with the First Cav. It's Star Wars on the ground, or maybe even Alice Through the Looking Glass. It's a chance to visit Primm, NV.
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