Stanford's Robotic Audi to Brave Pikes Peak Without Driver

Stanford engineers have developed a third autonomous vehicle. The car, named Shelley, is scheduled to race up Pikes Peak without a driver at the end of the summer.

Stanford University:
http://www.stanford.edu/

Stanford News:
http://news.stanford.edu/

Stanford University Channel on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/stanford

Category:

Education

Tags:

• computer science
• mechanical engineering
• software
• robotics
• cars
• Pikes Peak
• auto racing

[trekgeek1]

Why so many down votes? Do people really hate robots that much?

[f35lover]

The successors to Shelley will one day save hundreds- if not thousands -of human lives each year. Billions of gallons of fuel- fuel which is normally wasted through the stop/start of a traffic jam or simply searching for a parking space- will be saved as well. Shunning a technology like Shelley simply because of potential military applications should be a crime- no matter what, whether in military or civilian use, it will save countless lives.

Good luck to the team involved, and to Shelly :P

[cantdecidelol]

As amazing as this is, and as scientifically correct the car may be able to drive, it will never replace pure human skill. Surely, just as f35 lover mentioned, it will solve everyday problems with ease, I would love to see a future with autonomous vehicles, but machines are never perfect, they may come to be so, but not in the near future. Call me pessimistic- but simply general knowledge regarding road safety would be just as helpful, regardless, great idea and wish you guys the best.

[grunder20]

Just to be able to drive that thing, thats dope.

[sgsawant]

Let's take the likes way beyond the dislikes!

[VanMedia]

this is why you tr your best in school kids, so you can create cool stuff and get paid doing it. otherwise, you'll just be selling drugs and tossing salad in prison

[Dinty51]

fun fact: the car's name is 'Shelly'; world and Olympic champion Shelly Ann Frazer drives one of these cars too!

[sbergman27]

@MegaWeirdoo I think it went over the edge. But pieces of it are on sale at various Manitou Springs gift shops.

[MegaWeirdoo]

Does anybody know how far they've come? Will they do it this year (2010)?