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.
