http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/11685903.htm
"Stanford University, Volkswagen and a venture-capital firm are making a major effort to win a $2 million prize by driving 175 miles across the desert in 10 hours -- with no one in the driver's seat."

"The first DARPA Grand Challenge[] was held in early 2004. It was something of a bust, as some of the 15 teams couldn't get going or didn't go very far. The best team, [] went only 7.4 miles on the 142-mile Barstow-to-Primm, Nev., course before getting stuck on a berm."

"once started, they must operate on their own. These aren't remote-controlled cars. As a moving DARPA vehicle approaches an obstacle, it must recognize the obstacle, engage its own brakes, shift itself into reverse and then drive around the obstacle."

"The ultimate goal, Dupont said, is safer roads as future cars might help their drivers avoid accidents."