Autonomous Navigation

Team Cybernet, during the 2007 Urban Challenge, converted an 11-year-old minivan into an autonomous ground vehicle with technology capable of removing troops from increasingly dangerous situations.

Cybernet is committed to offering real-world solutions to real-world problems, including helping the U.S. meet the federal mandate that one-third of operational ground combat vehicles be unmanned by the year 2015. The “Cybervan,” Cybernet Systems’ 11-year-old minivan turned autonomous ground vehicle, was one of only 35 teams worldwide invited to the National Qualifying Event for the 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge.

The “Cybervan” is a potential solution to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001’s mandate, offering reliable, cost-effective, life-saving technology that is modular and scalable to any ground vehicle platform. Leveraging Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) technology, Cybernet’s solution provides a low-cost, effective technology that can be rapidly and directly inserted into the Army's existing fleet of medium tactical trucks currently used in convoy operations.

The 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge was the third in a series of competitions DARPA has held to foster the development of autonomous robotic ground vehicle technology that can execute simulated military supply missions. The 2007 competition was held in a mock urban area.

AUTONOMOUS NAVIGATION RESOURCES

• DARPA Sponsor Handout (.pdf)
• DARPA Urban Challenge Handout (.pdf)
• Team Cybernet - Urban Challenge Website