Advancing Robotics: The Urban Challenge Effect

The Defense Advanced Research Project Agency's (DARPA) Urban Challenge, a contest that pitted robots against each other for 6 h without human intervention, was aimed at advancing the state-of-the-art in research for perception, planning, sensors, and situational awareness with the goal of military application. The event was a success, gaining national media attention for DARPA and robotics; but how well did DARPA succeed in advancing research for the military? To answer this question, a number of post-event activities conducted by Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Laboratories, a participating member of the Ben Franklin Racing Team, will be presented and examined. In addition, a comparison of requirements between the Urban Challenge contest and current military applications will be conducted.