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Photos: Robot vehicles race for Grand Challenge

A $2 million prize awaits the winner of DARPA's desert contest for unmanned vehicles.
By Bill Detwiler, Contributor
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Photos: Robot vehicles race for Grand Challenge

The Stanford Racing Team's "Stanley," a modified Volkswagen Touareg, drives itself on the 2.3-mile race track at the qualifying event for the DARPA Grand Challenge, scheduled for Oct. 8 at the California Speedway, near Primm Valley, Nev.

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Photos: Robot vehicles race for Grand Challenge

Stanley did qualify for the DARPA desert race of unmanned vehicles, which features a $2 million prize. It finished the seven-day qualifying event without hitting any obtacles.

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sandstorm

Sandstorm, from Carnegie Mellon University's Red Team, is one of the favorites of this year's race.

Note the dust trail picked up just driving through the testing area. Imagine what it will be like riding over desert roads.

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wrong turn

Team Mojavation had a problem in the qualifying event when its vehicle decided to turn too soon and was disabled. But the team did qualify for the finals.

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fire

Track workers put out a brushfire in the hay bales after a racer named IRV crashed through the barrier.

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tank trap

A tank trap was set up to nab unsuspecting robot drivers during the qualifying rounds.

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hitting the wall

The robot-driven vehicle Cimar bounces off the wall and is disabled during the qualifying portion of the race.

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JackBot from MonsterMoto

The JackBot from MonsterMoto is another of the vehicles competing for a spot in the Grand Challenge.

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speeding

JackBot speeds around the track to qualify for the finals.

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big and small

DARPA racers come in all shapes and sizes.

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walking off course

Ghostrider is walked off the course.

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Photos: Robot vehicles race for Grand Challenge

The Desert Tortoise from Intelligent Vehicle Safety Technologies, another contender.

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