Polaris Industries has announced that their DARPA Polaris RANGER XP 900 EPS and GEM electric vehicles will be featured at the DARPA Robotics Challenge Finals.
The DARPA Robotics Challenge was created to spur development of robotic tech that can help humans better respond to dangerous conditions and disasters. The Challenge Finals will have robots performing multiple tasks in a continuous course, which will be a simulation of obstacles and challenges that might be encountered in a real disaster situaion. During the Finals, the driving task will require participating robots to drive the RANGER XP 900 EPS on a roadway and weave around obstacles. It will also have to egress the vehicle and attempt to intervene in a mockup disaster site which is too dangerous for humans to perform tasks.
“We are excited to continue our relationship with DARPA after the successful DRC Trials in 2013,” said Rich Haddad, general manager of Polaris Defense. “Off-road vehicles are some of the most useful vehicles in disaster relief, and our specialized RANGER vehicles were built to accommodate the robots and provide mobility for the driving task. In the future, the versatility of the RANGER platform would allow a robot to transport tools, equipment, supplies and power around a disaster site, while traversing the difficult terrain often found in disaster situations.”
The DARPA RANGER XP 900 EPS was specially customized for the event, featuring a remote SafeStop electronic throttle kill, brake actuation tehcnology, and a 1000lb capacity bed for the robot’s power supply. The cab features a bench seat, and tilt steering for ample room for robots to operate the vehicle. The vehicles also have TERRAINARMOR airless tires for maneuvering in diverse terrains without the risk of a flat tire.
In addition to the RANGER XP 900 EPS, Polaris GEM vehicles will also be in use at the Finals. They will be used to transport the robots after completion of their tasks, as well as working as VIP shuttles, and transporting goods and people throughout the campus.
The DARPA Robotics Challenge Finals will be held on June 5-6, at the Fairplex in Pomona, California.
Tags: DARPA, Polaris Industries
Do you want to be enslaved by robot overlords?
Cause this is how you get enslaved by robot overlords.
I always said I’d be the first one with a torch and a pitchfork when the Butlerian Jihad kicks off.
Mark your calendars, people! The Technological Singularity will occur in 2045. That’s 30 short years we have to prepare for the war with an enemy smarter than any human!
I’m not joking.
The idea of the “Singularity” isn’t one of doomsday or war… not sure how you came to that conclusion.
And both Steven Pinker and Jaron Lanier have argued against the very idea itself, with good points.
Well, with any luck, the world will be much better off then. Between geo-politics, globalization, technology, and meeting emergent countries with vigor we can welcome the future and what AI can do to enhance our species.
You might think differently when 50% of the population is unemployable because they are out competed for jobs. It will happen, all the money saved will go to the top shareholders and ceo and then we’ll have a french revolution.
The Technological Singularity is the point at which an AI reaches a human level of intelligence. at that point, it would be capable of recursive self-development. Its generally accepted that at the current rate of technology the Singularity will occur between 2030-2045
SkyNet
I, for one, welcome our new robotic overlords!
Well played Kent Brockman, well played…
Jon, OPT
By the time today’s recruits get their 20 year letter, they’ll be leading terminator robots.
it makes politics of war easy, easier than an all volunteer force. No one says bring the droids home and CNN doesn’t report a drone killed in action.
This post really hit home for me. I wonder what warfare will be like in another few decades. There will probably be some sort of neurological tap that allows a fire team leader to expand his consciousness across three other robots, with real time communications and synchronization with every level of the chain of command and satellite and aerial surveillance…. Something beyond our wildest expectations at least.
I am waiting for someone to discover a way to embed full field of view night vision into our skulls.
Johnny Cab anyone?
I smell a devious guvmint conspiracy…
…to reduce ATV rollover injuries.