Dodge Charger leads the crusade against the robots

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chrysler, Dodge

Time to take our cars back from the robots - Click above to watch video after the jump

Computers are constantly gaining a foothold on the everyday tasks that occur in our lives, but there are some tasks we simply hold too dear to let go. Or are there?

Jeopardy has gone the way of the robot and Google has shown that cars can be controlled without a human taking the wheel. Continuing down this path could lead to a future where the vehicles on the road are being piloted by robots or computers. Dodge doesn't want to see that day come, and it sends a shot right across the bow of SkyNet's patrolling warships.

In a new commercial for the 2011 Dodge Charger, we're given a glimpse into a world where technology is done creeping. It's everywhere, and it affects all portions of our daily routine. One man has had enough, and decides to take back control of his vehicle (the fascia of which bears an eerie resemblance to the latest Charger). Cut to a shot of present day, and Dodge proclaims that robots "will never take our cars."

That's right, Dodge. Fight the evil robot overlords. Click past the jump to check out the clip.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Dodge Charger leads the crusade against the robots

Dodge Charger leads the crusade against the robots originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2007 DARPA Grand Challenge - cash prizes are out, trophies are in

Stuart Waterman — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 15:24:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Etc.

Every week, in garages around the world, amateur racers spend their hard-earned day-job dollars repairing and improving all sorts of racecars, with one goal in mind - winning a tacky plastic trophy on the weekend. Now the U.S. government has honored that hallowed tradition, announcing that the robot drivers in the upcoming 2007 DARPA Grand Challenge will forgo the $2 million cash prize previously promised to the winner, in exchange for - a trophy! (Probably a mil-spec trophy that they'll pay too much for, but still.)

Actually, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency isn't trying to save money (taxpayers should be so lucky). Congress recently changed the rules for the Department of Defense, and it no longer has the authority to award cash prizes.

Robot fans needn't be too concerned about a lack of entries for next year's event - the eleven "Track A" teams selected this month for the 2007 Urban Challenge will each receive from DARPA up to $1 million in technology development funding, in addition to the support of their corporate sponsors. The A-teams include last year's winner Stanford University and perennial contenders Carnegie-Mellon University, as well as big-time defense contractors Raytheon and Honeywell.

"Track B" teams, which receive no funding from DARPA, can still earn their way into the final competition for the DARPA mugs by successfully completing qualifying events. The Urban Challenge final event requires competitors to safely complete a 60-mile simulated urban area course (in traffic) in under six hours.

[via engadget]

2007 DARPA Grand Challenge - cash prizes are out, trophies are in originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Oct 2006 15:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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