DARPA Robotic VX...its no longer an urban myth!!!!

[Triathlete]

Just got back moments ago from meeting up with the Austin Robotic crew as they traveled through Tucson on their way home from the DARPA Grande Championships. They were a great bunch of guys. Got to check out the VX and chat about the operation of it and the competition. While there EVERY person that went through the parking lot (it was a busy place) slowed, stopped, and stared at the VX's. One family came over and hung out the entire time we were there. There 10ish year old son really thought it was cool. While they were in Vegas (the comp took place near there) they met Andy (Swordy) also. So for everyone here I present you the following photos...IT LIVES!!! :dance:
http://pstr-d04.ygpweb.aol.com/data/pictures/01/003/33/3F/D9/32/ikScbOGBK7+9LmyJ1wuGqGCfedpLmYRd0300.jpg

http://pstr-d05.ygpweb.aol.com/data/pictures/01/007/19/34/69/E7/GLEkzWN51wcEUcHeVLJIfUTcVePC0nwu0300.jpg

The brains...
http://pstr-d05.ygpweb.aol.com/data/pictures/01/00F/7B/E5/6E/80/VCcBQQRJQo5gXwF9R4rQEsw-e2mA-Lxh0300.jpg

http://pstr-d05.ygpweb.aol.com/data/pictures/01/00D/51/E7/57/A4/EAHtsPvTct4hibaZYILZKInFq1KwSXB70300.jpg

The brawn...and one huge 24 volt alt. to power the brains...
http://pstr-m04.ygpweb.aol.com/data/pictures/01/00A/06/9C/2F/1F/8cPn8nEGTymzivLCciQhzDOqzN91Xjmy0300.jpg

Front veiw...one hellofa bumper...
http://pstr-d05.ygpweb.aol.com/data/pictures/01/004/52/D7/F3/AB/cUDD--vav5R6SbZPIQknlBbAR0zqMHqF0300.jpg

[Triathlete]

http://pstr-d04.ygpweb.aol.com/data/pictures/01/005/43/4A/1F/85/N3wCFb5Y7THFrKKERp4ipziddX6xdBnB0300.jpg

Electro magnet to actuate the brakes...
http://pstr-d05.ygpweb.aol.com/data/pictures/01/00C/47/4B/F7/9D/yHZowR9unwN2Yp-YmPLPWsRYRo68X2Q10300.jpg

http://pstr-d05.ygpweb.aol.com/data/pictures/01/002/63/F0/CE/98/zLBPC6Nd6dBPg7A8zRLulT0uGdq5Pr920300.jpg

http://pstr-m04.ygpweb.aol.com/data/pictures/01/005/21/CE/E2/AC/fsV5gYvjwBGiSNZDwtLdzYlFakwZ0t0n0300.jpg

http://pstr-d04.ygpweb.aol.com/data/pictures/01/00A/09/A7/BB/B1/ab73i7vEyWf169dXc0fZmBQB5+lS-z6j0300.jpg

[Triathlete]

The only carnage incurred...
http://pstr-d05.ygpweb.aol.com/data/pictures/01/00B/2A/49/0A/4E/1d9VMet-CZifSRwchODAUwSOEovt21YV0300.jpg

http://pstr-d05.ygpweb.aol.com/data/pictures/01/001/13/3F/16/63/Kp5j1NXskYuNyXjq4hG1uMb1VV2d4-7R0300.jpg

The cable to actuate the brake. The throttle is controlled by the computer being tapped into the speed control...
http://pstr-d05.ygpweb.aol.com/data/pictures/01/00A/28/A8/E6/90/rdfU5Z39izRmH0H0DyLpJqf2cHnEEmcD0300.jpg

http://pstr-d05.ygpweb.aol.com/data/pictures/01/002/5C/1B/9B/15/8XQEdoH3nu-nE+ZpNPKc-CQfZ8JSCILm0300.jpg

[Triathlete]

http://pstr-d04.ygpweb.aol.com/data/pictures/01/005/7E/E8/BB/95/-4hZALZUzlKR5VNcWVvgRJ1tHjhHuvFM0300.jpg

http://pstr-d04.ygpweb.aol.com/data/pictures/01/002/76/FA/EC/23/bkdTJPGpx1oiSiAi7RVMW7wD-LexGwFh0300.jpg

http://pstr-d05.ygpweb.aol.com/data/pictures/01/007/7E/CB/89/23/SBWFvPYu979QNDsPIapQEJJ6ooWmaPSV0300.jpg

[Dare2Dream]

Wow, that is one amazing machine :)

[Joe_Black]

Very cool! Thanks! ;)

[kpaske]

So how did it fare in the race? I have read a couple of articles, but they only mention the top 4 or 5 competitors.

[Triathlete]

There was 5 vehicles that finished. The mega$$$$ VW team won the two million dollar prize as the fastest. TheVX did not make it. The funny thing is is the VW used a very similar tracking system as the Austin Robotics VX, but they had 7 years to tune it versus 9 months that the VXers had. They said one of the other teams hd a guy on it that came over to them and said "great choice of vehicle...a VX". They came to find out the guy owned a VX...they told him about this site! Here is the DARPA (http://www.grandchallenge.org/) site.

[AlaskaVX]

http://pstr-m04.ygpweb.aol.com/data/pictures/01/00A/06/9C/2F/1F/8cPn8nEGTymzivLCciQhzDOqzN91Xjmy0300.jpg
Sooo when are they gong to mass produce these? :naughty:

I want a rolocated alternator!!!!!! (I have fried 3) Does that bracketry line up with the stock sized alt? Looks bigger but if you made your own and it lines up with the stock size you could make some $ with that setup in the Isuzu offroad community.

[Triathlete]

The bracket was a very large and heavy duty welded in piece that they fabbed. It appeared as they had to relocate the radiator hose on that side.

[transio]

Freaking COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL !!!

[Triathlete]

Another cool thing about the Robotic VX is everything can be returned to its original form!!!!!

[mbeach]

Way to go guys! Those tires looked to be a good choice.
That alternator location looks perfect for a belt driven supercharger -hmmmm...Evorent... yoo hoo...

[kpaske]

Yeah, I bet that monster alternator could power a mean sound system! ;Db;

[volume311]

Don't mess with Texas
Hahah, that made me laugh

[Kahuna]

Does it come with a FLUX CAPASITER?