We've been taking a close look at many of the vehicles created for various DARPA challenges, and it finally appears as if some of the new technology gained by these trials is trickling down into the real world. For instance, you're likely aware of new technologies such as lane-departure warning and adaptive cruise control which add a touch of safety and a bit less driver control to your daily commute. If you like this idea but want to go all the way, TORC will be offering its autonomous wares for about sixty grand. Also needed will be a donor vehicle, specifically a Ford Escape Hybrid. The company claims that this vehicle makes an excellent starting point due to its on-board batteries, rugged structure and plenty of cargo space. After the cost of the hybrid is accounted for, the total investment in a self-driving car is still less than a hundred grand, which is pretty impressive for such technology.

[Source: CNET]

We told you previously about DARPA Urban Challenge and the Volkswagen Passat from defending DARPA Grand Challenge winners the Stanford Racing Team. Now there is a second team entering with a Passat TDi wagon, this time from Germany in the form of Team-LUX. The Hamburg based team appears to be taking a more minimalist approach than other competitors. It looks like the vehicle will rely only on a trio of laser scanners, one in each front corner and the third in the rear, as well as a GPS receiver. Based on the location from the GPS and the proximity to other objects from the scanners, the ECU will control the steering, brakes and accelerator. To see if this limited data will be enough keep the car on course reliably we'll have to wait until November.

[Source: Team-LUX via Engadget]