Preliminary rules for the much anticipated DARPA Grand Challenge robot competition are now online. The date set for the competition is 28 Feb 2004. A more detailed set of rules is promised on 22 Feb 2003. If you missed our previous story on the contest, DARPA is offering a prize of one million dollars to the first autonomous ground robot to complete an unspecified course from Los Angeles, California to Las Vegas, Nevada. Portions of the course will be over the public road system and portions over off-road terrain.

A few highlights from the new information:

• differential GPS is allowed
• a wireless emergency stop mechanism is required
• a minimum of one manned chase vehicle is required
• no size, weight, or propulsion method limits
• refueling is allowed provided it is completely autonomous
• race will not be postponed because of weather
• race begins at daylight but may continue after dark depending on time needed to complete the course
• intentionally interfering with other teams' equipment is not allowed
• no sub-robots or vehicles are allowed
• all processing hardware must be onboard
• robots must be ground vehicles but leaving the ground for periods of less than 5 seconds is allowed, so hoppers may be acceptable