DARPA Grand Challenge 2004

Virginia Tech's tradition with the DARPA Grand Challenge goes back to 2003 and the original Challenge compeition. 30 undergraduate students, led by Dr. Charles Reinholtz built the first VT Grand Challenge vehicle, Cliff. The Virginia Tech Team built Cliff in six months and fielded a vehicle at the first Qualification, Inspection, and Demonstration (QID) event. Cliff was one of the few vehicles to complete the 1.2-mile QID obstacle course. Cliff started in 5th position, but was removed from the race early when a software conflict caused the brakes to lock up on the vehicle. For six months of development, Cliff managed just over 100 yards on the course.

(click picture to see a short video of Cliff's GC run)

Built on a prototype Ingersol-Rand Club Car XRT-1500 utility vehicle, Cliff weighed over 2200 lb. A SICK scanning LIDAR sensor and Honeywell TALIN GPS/inertial navigation sensed the world around Cliff. Three National Instruments PXI computers provided the brains behind Cliff's navigation.

After the 2004 competition, two team members continue on the project as graduate students, preparing a new senior design team for the 2005 Challenge.

 

 

If you would like to volunteer, need more information, or want to sponsor our team, contact grandchallenge@vt.edu

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