27 October 2009 - 11:00
Self-driving Audi to tackle Pikes Peak?
Over the last couple of years, Stanford University has been one of the most successful teams in the US military's 'DARPA' challenge, a competition to create the world's first true self-driving car.
Their latest weapon is an Audi TT-S called ‘Shelley', which already holds the unofficial world record for the fastest autonomous car at 130mph. But here's the big news: Stanford has announced that Shelley is set to tackle the Pikes Peak hillclimb next year.
All on her own.
Yes, that's a self-driving car, racing up the terrifying 12.4-mile Colorado hillclimb with its sheer, thousand-foot drops and 156 turns. That's like... the future!
Stanford has already tested Shelley in the less hazardous surroundings of the Bonneville Salt Flats, and recently took the TT-S on a gentle ‘sighter run' up Pikes Peak.
But next year, they say, Shelley will be taking on the hill at full race pace. We'll keep a close eye on the Stanford team and let you know how they're getting on.
If you're wondering why she's called Shelley, by the way, it's in honour of Michele Mouton, the most successful female rally driver in history and the first woman to win Pikes Peak - and she did it all in an Audi Quattro...
To find out about more stories like this, follow us on Twitter and become a fan of Top Gear on Facebook.
Want to comment on this?
why do feel this is gonna end in disaster?? but this is a fail already, robots maybe to everything humans can but never in any sort of sport or motor-sport
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
It'd be even funnier when it starts talking in the middle of the race...
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
If they are going to race it, they need to set it up properly...with several gallons of propane aboard. That way, if worse comes to worse, it will still be rewarding.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
So... it's called Shelley in honour of someone whose name is Michele Mouton, a name notable for being in no way remotely like Shelley? And these people claim to be able to make a car do the Pikes peak by itself? They cant even read.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Wait... I just noticed... they're Americans. That explains everything.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
shelley is a nickname for people called michele. remove the "mi" you're left with chele, modified to shelley. simples. if bmw's effort at the TG track is anything to go by these uni boffins should pull it off but agree it would be great to see it drive off a cliff, haha
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Looking forward to see it! Sounds exciting!!
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
what if it wins...
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Watch as the TT flies like a bird. Lots of expensive technology burning. Being America, presumably it won't go over 55mph.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
or they may apply some logic, by adding dragster-like turbojets on it, so it's better through the...erm..corners?
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Well I wish it luck. I assume it will win it's class easily, being the only entrant in the "near-production, self-driving" class? Or has BMW made a self-driving X6M?
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Why are bashing of Americans? You are right, our cars are slow and at least you've got Aston Martin and Jaguar. Both very fast cars indeed. But, oh wait a minute, doesn't Tata and a couple of Kuwaitis own them?? So, it seems that you actually don't produce anything of any creditble speed? "But Rovers are quick SUV's," you say? Ah, but they are owned by Tata as well.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Wher is this world going!!! The point of having car is to enjoy in it! I would love that this ends with horrible results,but i woud like to see it how this car burn Rubbers, and I would like to see it this car vs. stig!!! That would be fun! hehe
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Mattkloz - Noble, Mclaren, TVR, Morgan, Bristol, Ginetta, Mosler... trust me, if there is one thing we British do and do very well indeed, it is build amazing machines. Why do you think most of the F1 teams are here? It's not for the climate.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
But yeah, back to the Audi - what we're seeing here is ostensibly not much different than the flappy paddle gearboxes we see. In about 15 or 20 years (maybe less) we'll just have another mode to use next to manual and automatic. Yeah it takes away the driver involvement but hey, at least it goes to show that the automotive industry is optimistic that cars will still exist in 20 years.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
your a bunch of students, given the chance to drive up pikes peak and the best they can think of is to make the car self-driving!! if it were me, the technology would come foul of an 'accidental mishap' :D
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Ok, I know my like minded, 'cross the pond, friends can help me out. Yes I'm American, yes our cars only go fast in straight lines and maybe even if they're going left, but I really need your help here. I am a huge rally fan. I can't get enough of the sport. Part of the problem is its not well known or supported here. I would like to see the WRC hold a 1 day stage at Pikes Peak. This really is a fun event to go to. Please use all of your Jedi like powers to convince them that Seb Loeb and crew need to make a day trip out of it.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
hey AdrianM shelly is short for michelle, and you question their brains
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
TTS, TTRS, TTQRSTUVWXYZ?
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
TTS, TTRS, TTQRSTUVWXYZ?
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
The new Audi TT costs too much to be popular. That's more than a 370Z and its not a fast. Rather get a used Prodrive Impreza.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
you know the song 'its raining men'? "for the firs tim iks history its gonna start rainin audis, its rainin audis, haleuljah, its rainin audis..."
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
ah just noticed, the bods making this thing are american. the inteerior will be as well fineshed as as wheeeley bin, and at the firs corner, it will just over steer wildly off plummeting to the valey below! it realy is gonna start raining audis!
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
The problem I think they're going to face is being able to determine track and weather conditions. Setting up a pre-determined route for a car to drive itself is probably not much different than a satnav (little more complicated) and like a satnav, it'll rely on cold logic which won't be able to fathom out the different, more complicated physical aspects of driving
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Personally, J4KE, I think the interior of the car racing at Pike's Peak will look similar to a stripped out GP2 racer except with lots more loose wires all over the place. If the idea of a self-driving car ever goes into production then I imagine people like Audi will just acquire the patent and schematics for it, make it themselves and then hide it behind all of their own interior design.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
I so wanna see this launch straight off the cliff!!!
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Advertisement
Advertisement feature
Discover the new Insignia VXR
The Vauxhall Insignia VXR is in showrooms now. To read more about the car and for your chance to win an iPod Touch, click here.
Test Driven
.jpg?p=080926_03:52)
Audi TT Roadster
Forget the hyperdrive quattro versions. This honest, no frills TT is one of the best you can buy.
Advertisement
Open Car Bar
StigsIrishCousn commented on this article
27 October 2009
It would be amazing if it completed the run, but let's be honest a lot funnier if it drove straight off the side and plunged to the depths below in a fireball!!
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.