Published on 02/28/06 at 23:54:20 EST by Jack Deth
Now I have heard of Dora the Explorer, but how about Dora, the self-driving Touareg.
2004 V6 Touareg (U.S. version) Full-time all-wheel drive Electronic locking center differential Electronic air-suspension Extensive CAN bus integration
This 2004 Touareg has been converted into a computer controlled monster in an attempt to get that $2 Million prize!!! Now unfortunately the money slipped through their fingertips, but thats no reason to chagrin...
This beaty is controlled by the ultimate Operating System out there today!! Mac OSX!!!! This beasty has multiple MacMini's strapped in the rear compartment as well as a Powerbook in the front seats...
How do they do that? How can a car drive itself? Computers inside the car control electronic pistons and belts to control the steering wheel, brake and gas pedals, and gear shifter.
How does it know where to go? The car follows a series of GPS waypoints that define the course boundary and periodic check points.
How can it "see" the road or avoid obstacles? Various video cameras, radars, sonars, and lasers are used to estimate what the terrain is like and what obstacles may be in between.
Is it safe? Chase vehicles and e-stop devices ensure a safe race for everybody and the environment.
Check out this video here, it might take some time to load seeing as its 28 megs, but it does the job of showcasing this monster well. Just hit the play button, and see what I mean.
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