Team CIMAR Enters Dept of Defense Robot Race: 1st Place, $2 Million

Business Wire, May 19, 2005

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- This fall, Team CIMAR (Center for Intelligent Machines and Robotics) plans to unleash the NaviGATOR, an unmanned robotic vehicle that looks like a cross between a jeep and a swamp buggy, on 175 miles of uncharted terrain near Las Vegas, Nev. The team held a successful NaviGATOR demonstration today at the University of Florida Plant Science Unit in Citra, Florida. Team CIMAR's title sponsor is Smiths Aerospace.

The team is applying for the second annual DARPA Grand Challenge, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense. The objective is to build a robot capable of crossing the terrain without human intervention. The prize is $2 million for the first team to cross the finish line under 10 hours - if anyone does at all.

"That's like traveling across the state of Florida," said David Armstrong, CIMAR team leader. "Imagine your car driving itself across Florida."

If selected, on Oct. 8, the University of Florida's Center for Intelligent Machines and Robotics along with Autonomous Solutions, which builds robots for civilian and military purposes, and the Eigenpoint Co., which creates and maintains robotic and automation systems, will travel to Los Angeles to compete in their second DARPA Grand Challenge.

The event is sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency, the central research and development organization for the U.S. Department of Defense. One hundred and ninety five teams applied to enter the competition, but only 40 will be chosen to compete in the qualifying event at the California Speedway. Twenty will go on to compete in the main event.

The purpose of the race is to encourage robotic engineers, such as the members of Team CIMAR, to develop "autonomous" technology that will one day be capable of operating unmanned military vehicles in areas too remote or dangerous for human operators, according to the DARPA Grand Challenge Web site.

Team CIMAR's title sponsor is Grand Rapids-based Smiths Aerospace, a leading global provider of innovative solutions to builders and operators of military aircraft, vehicles & systems, civil aircraft and engines. Other sponsors include the UF College of Engineering, Autonomous Solutions, The Eigenpoint Company, NavCom Technology, Animatics, Hy-Impact Signs, Georgia All Terrain Monsters, Preco Electronics, Compass Systems, Formation Inc., Leece Neville, Digi-Key Corp, UF Plant Science Unit, and Safe Software.

"We encourage young engineering students to be involved in innovative projects. We are pleased to sponsor the University of Florida's team. This is a perfect example of involvement at the right level to motivate students to pursue engineering degrees," commented Dave Miller, Vice President/General Manager of Smiths Aerospace in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Team CIMAR, which placed eighth out of 106 teams last year, is poised for a better performance this year, Armstrong said.

"Last year was just a practice run," he said. "This year we are building a much smarter, more capable machine. We are positioning ourselves to win."