Winners announced in international robotics challenge

After 461 days of preparation and five days of demonstrations displaying ground-breaking robotics technologies, three teams from America have topped the inaugural Multi Autonomous Ground-robotics International Challenge (MAGIC 2010).

Minister for Defence Science & Personnel, Warren Snowdon, announced the results of the competition and named Team Michigan as the overall winner.

The team, from the University of Michigan, received a $US750,000 grant during an awards function at the Land Warfare Conference in Brisbane today.

"I congratulate the prize-winning teams and all the other competitors who have contributed their technology and ideas by participating in this event. This is a trail-blazing moment for our military in terms of how we conduct future combat missions," Mr Snowdon said.

Team U-Penn, from the University of Pennsylvania, placed second, earning a $US250,000 grant while the US team RASR or Reconnaissance & Autonomy for Small Robots, placed third and received a $US100,000 grant.

MAGIC 2010 is a joint initiative of Australia's Defence Science and Technology Organisation and the US Army. The competition aims to accelerate the development of next generation autonomous vehicle systems or robots that can operate effectively on the future battlefield in dangerous situations, keeping soldiers out of harm's way.

The Challenge attracted 23 international entries, and five finalists were chosen to undertake a complex and increasingly difficult series of ‘missions' over a 500-metre by 500-metre course at the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds last week.

Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator David Feeney, attended the final demonstration last week.

"It was exciting to witness the robots in action, and I'm sure the challenge will generate many useful innovations that will see new advances in robotics technology and help to improve force protection."

Chief Judge for MAGIC and former Director of the US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Dr Tony Tether said, "The MAGIC Challenge was a lot like Kittyhawk except that instead of fighting we are witnessing the start of the future of autonomous robotic systems."

The Director of US Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center, Dr Grace Bochenek said the inaugural MAGIC 2010 competition brought together top researchers from around the world.

"MAGIC pushes the boundaries of ground robotics and the work accomplished with a team of robots working together will directly benefit our soldiers now and in the future."

"This competition will continue to enthuse University teams around the world that will be working toward the next generation of collaborative, multi-tasking robots," Mr Snowdon said.

"This partnership between Australia and the US will advance technology for both countries."

Source: Australian Defence Media Centre

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