Volkswagen To Enter Sensor-driven Passat In 2007 Darpa Urban Challenge
- Date: 2007-06-28 - Word Count: 514
Share This!
For more information about your part needs like , visit your trusted online source.
Rain Stockton is an engineer by profession. He is a motorsports fanatic, especially F1 and NASCAR. He seldom fails to attend major car racing events. A frustrated race car driver, he spends some of his free time working in one of the largest automotive shops in Indianapolis.
The 2007 Defense Advance Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Urban
Challenge, one of the most unique car races in the world, will take place on November 3. Several teams will allow their "smart" vehicles to enter on a course covering 60 miles of unknown territory and designed to vitalize urban driving conditions.
Each team's aim is to post the fastest time while, of course, observing traffic regulations. The race requires participating vehicles to mingle into traffic, cross roundabouts and negotiate busy intersections. All cars are steered and driven by computers.
In the race, Volkswagen will enter its customized Passat backed with performance quality VW exhaust and built by Volkswagen's research department and its California-based Electronic Research Laboratory (ERL) with the assistance of Stanford University.
Named in commemoration to Stanford University founder Leland Stanford Jnr., the Passat "Junior" is equipped with electromechanical power steering, an electric accelerator pedal, a Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) and an electric handbrake. And to make the vehicle 100 percent computer-controlled, Volkswagen of America's Electronic Research Laboratory (ERL) modified these electric systems and the brakes. Further equipment designed and built by the ERL includes the Custom-made mountings for the array of sophisticated sensors. Intel Core 2 Duo processors with two multiple-processing units per chip are some of the compositions of the vehicle's "brain". All these with the software developed at Stanford University's Artificial
Intelligence Laboratory, the vehicle will be genuinely independent.
Dr. Burkhard Huhnke, head of Volkswagen's Electronic Research Laboratory, said that Volkswagen is excited to join the 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge after its victory at the last DARPA Grand Challenge. He said that they see an opportunity to further advance intelligent technologies for the future use in the next generation passenger vehicles. He explained that the features developed for the Urban Challenge will ultimately result to driving safety and more fun in today's increasingly congested traffic. He continued that they have the perfect car for the said challenge, just like their Touareg 'Stanley' in its 2005 Grand Challenge triumph.
With 'Stanley' as the name, VW's Touareg TDI won the DARPA Grand Challenge in 2005. Stanley bested among 22 other unmanned vehicles with its onboard sensors and navigation features. The 2005 race was a demanding 132-mile championship taking in rough desert roads, mountain passes, dried-up lakes and tunnels. And without a single glitch, Stanley completed the race with a winning time of six hours and 54 minutes.
The Electronic Research Laboratory
Founded in 1998, Volkswagen of America's Electronic Research Laboratory (ERL) is focusing its work on providing customers with smarter vehicles for the future. Based in Palo Alto, California, its work involves identifying new technologies and accelerating their development for future vehicle production.
DARPA
DARPA or Defense Advance Research Projects Agency is an organization of the United States Department of Defense.
Rain Stockton is an engineer by profession. He is a motorsports fanatic, especially F1 and NASCAR. He seldom fails to attend major car racing events. A frustrated race car driver, he spends some of his free time working in one of the largest automotive shops in Indianapolis.
The 2007 Defense Advance Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Urban
Challenge, one of the most unique car races in the world, will take place on November 3. Several teams will allow their "smart" vehicles to enter on a course covering 60 miles of unknown territory and designed to vitalize urban driving conditions.
Each team's aim is to post the fastest time while, of course, observing traffic regulations. The race requires participating vehicles to mingle into traffic, cross roundabouts and negotiate busy intersections. All cars are steered and driven by computers.
In the race, Volkswagen will enter its customized Passat backed with performance quality VW exhaust and built by Volkswagen's research department and its California-based Electronic Research Laboratory (ERL) with the assistance of Stanford University.
Named in commemoration to Stanford University founder Leland Stanford Jnr., the Passat "Junior" is equipped with electromechanical power steering, an electric accelerator pedal, a Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) and an electric handbrake. And to make the vehicle 100 percent computer-controlled, Volkswagen of America's Electronic Research Laboratory (ERL) modified these electric systems and the brakes. Further equipment designed and built by the ERL includes the Custom-made mountings for the array of sophisticated sensors. Intel Core 2 Duo processors with two multiple-processing units per chip are some of the compositions of the vehicle's "brain". All these with the software developed at Stanford University's Artificial
Intelligence Laboratory, the vehicle will be genuinely independent.
Dr. Burkhard Huhnke, head of Volkswagen's Electronic Research Laboratory, said that Volkswagen is excited to join the 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge after its victory at the last DARPA Grand Challenge. He said that they see an opportunity to further advance intelligent technologies for the future use in the next generation passenger vehicles. He explained that the features developed for the Urban Challenge will ultimately result to driving safety and more fun in today's increasingly congested traffic. He continued that they have the perfect car for the said challenge, just like their Touareg 'Stanley' in its 2005 Grand Challenge triumph.
With 'Stanley' as the name, VW's Touareg TDI won the DARPA Grand Challenge in 2005. Stanley bested among 22 other unmanned vehicles with its onboard sensors and navigation features. The 2005 race was a demanding 132-mile championship taking in rough desert roads, mountain passes, dried-up lakes and tunnels. And without a single glitch, Stanley completed the race with a winning time of six hours and 54 minutes.
The Electronic Research Laboratory
Founded in 1998, Volkswagen of America's Electronic Research Laboratory (ERL) is focusing its work on providing customers with smarter vehicles for the future. Based in Palo Alto, California, its work involves identifying new technologies and accelerating their development for future vehicle production.
DARPA
DARPA or Defense Advance Research Projects Agency is an organization of the United States Department of Defense.
Related Tags: car parts, vw parts, volkswagen exhaust, vw exhaust, vw exhaust system, oem car parts, volkswagen exhaust parts
For more information about your part needs like VW exhaust, visit your trusted online source.Rain Stockton is an engineer by profession. He is a motorsports fanatic, especially F1 and NASCAR. He seldom fails to attend major car racing events. A frustrated race car driver, he spends some of his free time working in one of the largest automotive shops in Indianapolis. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Improve the Value of Your Truck With a Truck Bed Cover
If you are a truck owner and are looking for a way to increase the value and also protect your inves - An Overview of Emergency Road Services
Anyone that owns a vehicle definitely understands that there are truly countless facets of driving a - Buying From Car and Truck Auctions in Canada
Buying a vehicle from an auction can be a good way to pick up a bargain as long as you know what you - 2011 Green Car Of The Year- Who's In It To Win It!
The Green Car of the Year award is a program designed by Green Car Jouranl to recognize and honor ve - Honda's 2010 Odyssey is Efficient, Practical and Convenient
If you are looking for a minivan that has a seating capacity of up to eight persons and handles almo - Greener Trucks For Delivery Work
Green' is a word you'll hear a lot when it comes to transportation, from bicycles to buses - but you - The Courier and Haute Couture
Some jobs just ooze opportunity to flaunt yourself and show off your latest togs but sadly that's ra - All-New 2011 Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry has been a continuous leader for years in the family midsize sedan class by being a - The Various Benefits Of Summer Tires
As you probably know , different tires are optimized for different conditions. Not only that, someth - A Couple of Tips on Buying a Used Cars in Toronto
If your old car has finally kicked the bucket and you need to get yourself a new mode of transport t
Most viewed articles in this category:
- How to Remove Window Tint
Applying tinting film to car or household windows may be fun, but removing it can be tricky if yo - Transporting Your Car
If you are relocating to another state or another country for employment or family reasons, you may - Choosing The Right Sticker For The Motorcycle Helmet
When people decide to buy a motorcycle, the dealer will usually throw in a helmet. This is because s - Suzuki's 2007 Xl7, “wave” Grand Vitara Debuts at the 2007 Scias
In the news: American Suzuki Motor Corporation has presented its array of cars and SUVs at the 2007 - Nissan Skyline GTR: A Racer That Is Affordable
If you've ever eyed a Porsche 911 or a Ferrari Testarossa, but thought the price was too steep, the - How To Buy Cheap Cars
There are a number of seized car auctions held in various places every month or at least quarterly. - Federal Agencies Expands Hybrid Fleet
Three federal agencies in Kansas recently added hybrid vehicles to their fleet. The hybrid vehicles - New Cars, New Gadgets Presented at the 2007 Naias
The 2007 North American International Auto Show has become an event of glamour, fashion and technolo - Aura Green Line Added to 3 Federal Fleets in Kansas
Three Kansas City area federal agencies added Monday the new 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line hybrid vehi - Top Vehicles by Autoweek Editors Honored at 2007 Naias
Everybody has favorites. Bill may like Ford cars. Susan may be attracted much by the power of pi