Robot car steals $ 2M Grand Challenge prize
Posted by Matthew on Monday October 10, 2005 @09:44PM
from the robots-in-disguise dept.
Matthew writes: The $ 2M Grand Challenge prize awarded to the Stanford University for their automated VW Toureg “Stanley” (which successfully navigated the 150-mile desert test course) was stolen by H1ghlander, the #2 placed competitor.
Upon reaching the finish line, H1ghlander arrived at the finish line and apparently determined that it had lost. At that point, the vehicle leapt into the air and landed on two “legs” which were apparently formed by a hidden assembly in the rear quarter-panel portions of the vehicle. A synthesized voice then exclaimed “We are the Decepticon!“. The robot then reached over, snatched the check, and then launched directly into the desert sky, apparently borne aloft by jet engines built into the “feet” area.
Organizers were at a loss to explain the occurrence or where H1ghlander may have gone.