$89k for a Robotic, Drive-by-Wire Ford SUV

Posted 16 Jun 2008 at 18:11 UTC by steve

Jesse G Hurdus writes, "thought I'd send some interesting news your way. Team VictorTango's base vehicle platform for the Urban Challenge (which placed third, just behind Stanford), is now being sold as a product by TORC Technologies. Of course, this is just the fully Drive-By-Wire Ford Hybrid Escape (minus sensors and A.I.), but its very cool none-the-less!" Team VictorTango was Virginia Tech's entry in the Urban Grand Challenge. You can find out more about on the Team VictorTango website. Their robotic vehicle, known as Odin, was loaded with sensors that included SICK laser scanners, IBEO Alasca laser scanners, NovAtel GPS/INS, and multiple video cameras. TORC Technologies worked with the VT team as a subcontractor on the vehicle, developing technologies that included motion planning algorithms for use with Ackerman steering, driving behaviors, situation classifiers, and a JAUS-based software architecture.