University of Essex developing autonomous model car

DARPA's Grand Challenge certainly snags a majority of the spotlight when talking about autonomous vehicles, but researchers at the University of Essex are looking to tackle the idea on a (literally) smaller scale. Seeking to craft a "driverless model car," the project will reportedly utilize a standard remote control model vehicle, which will be flanked by a PC, camcorder, and a bevy of sensors. Supposedly, the software that will be riding on board will allow the vehicle to be "entirely autonomous" by recognizing obstacles, making tactical decisions, and driving itself around a test track. The team responsible for the prototype hopes that this small-scale, low-cost endeavor will "pave the way" for autopilot cars of the future, and considering the problems we mere humans are already having with newfangled technology, that day can't come soon enough.

[Via Slashdot]

[ByronGman @ Mar 24th 2007 1:23PM]

Hahaha

Why is that most autonomous vehicles end up stuck in some corner repeatedly banging against a wall?

"Must destroy inferior humans...

-wall detected: evasive action
-wall detected: evasive action
-wall detected: evasive action
....

[Fozz! @ Mar 24th 2007 2:40PM]

Essex, eh? I predict that they won't get beyond gluing large spoilers, alloy wheels and a stupid sound system to this magical car. Before they even think about automating it they'll have a revoked driving licence and a bevvy of ASBO's.

[Dan @ Mar 26th 2007 11:25AM]

OMGosh! My 5yo son would go nuts with that thing! Coolest. Slot car set. Ever.