Stanford to run driverless Audi TT-S up Pikes Peak next year [w/VIDEO]
Stanford's autonomously drifting Audi TTS -- Click above to view video after the jump
If you read AutoblogGreen regularly, then you already know that Volkswagen and Stanford University have taken their relationship that began with developing autonomous vehicles to compete in the government-sponsored DARPA Grand Challenge competitions to the next level. VW has committed over $5 million to open the Volkswagen Automotive Innovation Lab on Stanford's campus with the intent of taking their research further regardless of whether the government is offering a carrot or not.
The two organizations are kicking off their new commitment to autonomous vehicles in a big way. Already under development is a the third-gen autonomous vehicle will make past DARPA Grand Challenge winners Stanley and Junior look obsolete by comparison. Based on an Audi TT-S, the new vehicle eschews all the outwardly visible hardware and has one expressed purpose: to tackle the Pikes Peak Hill Climb just like a real rally driver, four wheel drifts and all.
While still in the early stages, the team of researchers from Stanford have already performed tests with the autonomous TT-S at the Bonneville Salt Flats where the car was free to roam while being driving at the limit without a driver. They've also reportedly visited Pikes Peak with the car and ran it up the hill, albeit slowly.
Follow the jump to check out video of Stanford's autonomous TT-S being tested, including a nifty little trick where it traces Audi's corporate logo in the salt. It's just a teaser for now, but we gotta admit the idea of watching an empty TT-S tackle Pikes Peak is tantamount to finally getting that flying car we were promised. Thanks for the tip, Marcial
[Source: YouTube | Photos by jurvetson | CC2.0]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Hike15 6:06PM (10/26/2009)
That is pretty impressive, and would be a cool ad for Audi to do (minus that whole driver-less thing)
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zamafir 6:07PM (10/26/2009)
but will it be a female computer!
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DiRF 6:10PM (10/26/2009)
If it is, that'll just make it easier to change directions on a whim... which would be good on Pikes Peak.
audi_arena 6:25PM (10/26/2009)
Don't worry, Zam... I got the joke.
audi_arena 6:13PM (10/26/2009)
I was really excited about this until I read "driverless"
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audi_arena 6:16PM (10/26/2009)
Actually, this IS pretty cool now that I took the time to read it and watch the video. I totally approve of the Audi corporate sponsorship for this too. Very cool and innovative.
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homunculus 6:17PM (10/26/2009)
a tt-s? how much funding are these people getting?
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audi_arena 7:46PM (10/26/2009)
The cars were donated by Audi. Most likely they will feature it as PR in thier magazine or on thier TV chanel: www.audi.tv
LoneWolf 6:26PM (10/26/2009)
O love DARPA challenges...will no competitor pick up the glove?
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LoneWolf 6:28PM (10/26/2009)
O=I....we need an edit button..
PauloBecker 6:29PM (10/26/2009)
Let's just hope they don't hire GT4 developers to take care of the A.I.
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montoym 6:31PM (10/26/2009)
I will be there.
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Ricky 6:31PM (10/26/2009)
Great, now there's no more room for my golf bag.
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Yaroukh 6:32PM (10/26/2009)
Boooh, what a waste of time! I was expecting soem footage of their early attempts on a hill-climb, but all we get is 4-5 still images.
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Berto 6:46PM (10/26/2009)
As a Berkeley alumnus, I am supposed to talk trash about this or anything that the farm does
BUT
this is quite impressive, I would love to see it!
Now if only they could make bikes that get out of the damn way on their own for when driving in Palo Alto....
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speed12sil 9:39PM (10/26/2009)
...Except they're not surrounded by hippies in the past like Berkeley was. Wait. Now it's just plain weird people :P
And no I'm not a Stanford alumni.
On a separate note, can't those smart people use a better car than a TT? Come on. At least use a STI or something. That thing is NOT made for Pikes Peak attack.
GTX141 11:22PM (10/27/2009)
speed....
Until the STI gets electronic steering and some form of automated gearbox, TT it is.
AK 6:51PM (10/26/2009)
Nice vid, but someone should have done grammar-check.
"the research continuous."
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adrenalnjunky 10:31PM (10/26/2009)
yeah - there was one other error in the copy at the end - but I don't feel like going back and checking it. It baffles me how many people won't allow someone else to look at their advertisements and works before putting it in the public domain.
br4nd0nh347 1:28AM (10/27/2009)
Ok I'm glad I wasn't the only one who saw that, I was thinking maybe it's a Stanford thing.