Scheduled for October 2005, the DARPA Grand Challenge for autonomous robotic ground vehicles will cover a course of approximately 150 miles between Los Angeles and Las Vegas , and the team that most quickly completes the route in less than the prescribed time will receive a cash prize of $2 million. This challenge is intended to spur the accelerated development of autonomous robotic ground vehicle technology for military applications, and is the first in a series of Grand Challenge s planned by DARPA.

“We believe that the Grand Challenge is ultimately a contest of software,” said Joshua Bernheim, Captain of Team AION. “I believe we've put together a great team with extensive expertise in software automation, and built a foundation of computer, electrical, and structural engineers to make that automation relevant. We expect nothing less than to finish the race this year.”

Since announcing it will compete in the Grand Challenge , Team AION has been hard at work designing a vehicle that meets DARPA's requirements to travel on its own with no human assistance over the course's rugged terrain. As part of its vehicle development efforts for the Grand Challenge , Team AION seeks support from interested underwriters that could benefit from the widespread visibility that the event will attract, and is open to discussions with potential sponsors. Team AION keeps a website at http://www.teamaion.com/ .

Dataczar Automation is a software consulting firm. AION is an acronym for Artificially Intelligent Object Navigation. DARPA is the central research and development organization for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The Agency manages and directs basic and applied research and development projects for DoD, and pursues research and technology where the risk and payoff are both very high and where success may provide dramatic advances for traditional military roles and missions.

Team AION current sponsors: Dataczar Automation, Roboteq, Rayco Fabrication