Team Cybernet on the Road to DARPA Urban Challenge

ANN ARBOR, Mich.--

A DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) Urban Challenge National Qualifier, Team Cybernet, is en route to Victorville, California, to compete in the final stages of the competition. The team is spending the remaining time before the main event perfecting the “Cybervan,” in San Antonio, Texas.

The 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge is the third in a series of competitions DARPA has held to foster the development of autonomous robotic ground vehicle technology simulated military supply missions in a mock urban area. Beginning on October 26^th semifinalists will compete for a chance to reach the finals and contend for $3.5 million in prizes.

“We are very excited to have the opportunity to compete against the world’s leading innovators in this very important endeavor, and are grateful to DARPA for the opportunity to serve our men and women in uniform,” said Chuck Jacobus, Team Cybernet Leader. “At the heart of the countless hours and exceptional innovation dedicated to this effort by every member of Team Cybernet is a shared commitment to removing service personnel from harm’s way. The Cybervan is a practical solution to a very dangerous problem.”

Team Cybernet, from Ann Arbor, Michigan, is committed to delivering tomorrow's military solutions today. By converting an 11-year old Chrysler minivan into a sophisticated autonomous "bot," Team Cybernet's solution can be applied to the similarly-aged fleet of military vehicles in the field today. Comprised almost entirely of professionals from Cybernet Systems Corporation, a woman-owned American research and development company, the self-funded Team Cybernet added $45,000 of mostly commercial off-the-shelf materials and countless hours of intellectual capital to develop the "Cybervan."

To learn more about Team Cybernet or Cybernet Systems Corporation, please visit www.cybernet.com.