SPECIAL EVENT (HAMBURG) - LUX QUALIFIES FOR DARPA CHALLENGE...

The decision for the DARPA Urban Challenge 2007 has been made. 36 driverless autos will be competing at the NQE (National Qualification Event) in the USA from October 26 to 31 to qualify for the finals of the world's only autonomous automobile race. One of them will be LUX, the lynx vehicle of the German Team-LUX, a cooperation of the German laser technology company Ibeo Automobile Sensor GmbH and SICK AG. The announcement was made today in Anaheim / California.

In the early stages, 53 teams and their vehicles were tested by the race organizers in the USA during the so-called site visits. LUX, the lynx demonstrated its driving skills in Auburn / Alabama on June 29 and mastered the demands of the test scenarios within the designated time with no trouble. The tests included complex tasks such as crossing intersections with the typically American four-way stops, oncoming traffic, obstacles, U-turns, and passing maneuvers. The team leader of the Team-LUX, Richard Bishop, was delighted about the success: "Our LUX performed magnificently during even the most difficult tasks, so we think we have an excellent chance to win the competition."

At the Urban Challenge 2007, the team intends to convincingly demonstrate that intelligent laser technology for enhanced traffic safety is ready for series production and can be realized in normal cars today.

At the DARPA Urban Challenge 2007, vehicles driving completely autonomously will compete in a 60 mile race on November 3. The winner receives the grand prize of US-$2 million. A preliminary decision will be made at the National Qualification Event on October 26 - 31.