Quote:
Originally Posted by Anita
Maybe I could work up a nice shirt for the event.. And you could be our rep?!?! ;)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Anita
Maybe I could work up a nice shirt for the event.. And you could be our rep?!?! ;)
Hello Moncha,Quote:
Originally Posted by Moncha
DARPA sent me an email telling me that the track announcer at the California Speedway will typically have air time to fill between vehicle runs and could use lots of stories, facts, data, anecdotes and biographical data. They said it may be helpful to think in terms of information "nuggets" that are easy to explain to the general public. Please see below for a sampling of some the "nuggets" we sent in :-)
Thanks,
Jorge
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Austin Robot Technology's vehicle is a 1999 Isuzu VehiCROSS, "Ironman" Edition.
The VehiCROSS was originally introduced by Isuzu as a concept car at the 1993 Tokyo Motor Show. Its unique and daring style made it a crowd favorite, and the VehiCROSS went into production in 1999.
The VehiCROSS is highly regarded by car enthusiasts as a high-performance off-road machine.
---o---
Due to the fact that it was originally a concept car and that ceramic stamping dies were used to cast the body panels, the VehiCROSS was produced for only three years, with the last VehiCROSS rolling off the assembly line in 2001. This has turned the little SUV into a collector's item and has resulted in a large following of die-hard aficionados.
One such community is the vehicross.info forum on the Internet. Members of the forum were quick to embrace Austin Robot Technology's vehicle selection and they offered advice ranging from tire selection, to skid plates and brush guards.
Members of the audience interested in knowing more about this unique SUV are encouraged to visit the vehicross.info website. Austin Robot Technology would like to thank the members of the vehicross.info community for their support.
---o---
Austin Robot Technology's robotic vehicle is completely street-legal and it can be seen regularly driving around town in Austin.
Their personalized license plate is "ROBOT" and it proudly displays the Texas anti-littering slogan "Don't Mess With Texas".
---o---
Austin Robot Technology's team leader says that they have been stopped several times by grinning police officers who want a closer look at the vehicle.
One police officer in particular has stopped the team twice to check on the progress of the vehicle. This was the same police officer who offered his assistance as the team was working on their vehicle, late one night, in an empty parking lot.
Austin Robot Technology would like to thank the Austin Police Department for their support!
---o---
You guys shoulda gone with a Proton Yellow VX. :D
Very COOL Jorge!! I'm speechless. I only wished I could be there when you guys run.. I am in spirit!
Jorge,
I'm also in Austin with a '99 black VX, big tires + all of Ron's mods but have not seen your white one around. I had a small VX gathering recently at my house but missed you guys. PM me and let's try to hook up sometime. Check out my gallery with all the cool interior mods.
Hello Julian,Quote:
Originally Posted by JULIAN911
Let's hook up when I come back. In one week we leave for three days of testing at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. They have allowed us to use their unmanned vehicle testing facility for three days. After that we are off to the qualifying round in California... Hey, I saw your cool mods... Cool screen! That's exactly where we put our flat-panel screen :-) You building a robot too ;-) or does it give you GPS, etc.?
Jorge
If you come through Tucson let us know if you want to do lunch or breakfast/mini meet...or something! :thumbup:
Hello Billy,Quote:
Originally Posted by Triathlete
As a matter of fact, we will be driving through Tucson this Friday, September 23... probably just around dinner time... and what better person to ask where to eat than a local VXer? ;-) Send me an email if you'd like to meet for dinner Friday night! And bring your camera ;-)
Jorge
What kind of food/price range you looking for? I am up for meeting. Will bring camera! And luckily I am on vacation (usually would be at work!). I will email you with my phone # so you can call me when you get near town so we can set up a time. This will be cool! I even just washed my VX (first time since May-it was the rain season).
Tri,
Make sure to get lots of pics of the RoboVX !!!
Steve
You know I will!
Hey Jorge,
Yes, let's hook up when you get back after winning the race :clap: I can't wait to see your VX to give me more ideas for mods :bgwb:
any updates on this?
I think the competition started today. Saw a headline about it, but didn't read any further.
We are back in Texas from our DARPA Grand Challenge adventure. We received many compliments on our choice of vehicle. Unfortunately we didn't qualify for the finals and didn't compete in the race.
Those interested in learning more about how our robotic VX did at the qualifying event can visit the news section of our web site.
We stopped in Tucson on our way back and visited with Jeff and Triathlete, they got pictures of our three VXs. We gave them a tour of the VX and the mods we made, they got pictures of those as well.
Thanks to everyone for the advice on this project.
We will continue working on the software, which can always be improved.
Art
Also, Andy Miller (aka Swordy) came and visited us in Primm, NV, during the Grand Challenge when our VX was on display for the public at the parking lot behind Buffalo Bill's (next to the DARPA tent). Thanks for coming and visiting Andy! It was great meeting you!
Art,
Out of curiosity, what sort of programming language do you use for that? Is it C++? Assembly? Or something else? Where would I learn how to do that type of programming?
Thanks!
Steve :)
Hi Steve,
All our code is C & C++. If you know C++ you can take a look at the Player / Stage project for examples of how to structure a robot program.
If you want to learn programming and robots, Lego Mindstorms is a good place to start.
Both of my sons (12 & 15) have built and programmed robots using Lego Mindstorms. People have built sophisticated robots using it, click here for some examples, and my favorite, a Lego robot to solve Rubik's Cube!
If you want to learn how to program a winner then you might go here :cool:
Thanks Art! Looks like great reading!!!
Watching the Discovery channels monster garage, they are highligting the build of one of the vehicles and just saw the white VX in the background :)