Victorville (CA) – It was a good run, but Team Gator Nation was eliminated from the DARPA Urban Challenge qualifications the same day its bot crashed into a concrete wall.  The robotic Toyota Highlander drove out of the starting chute on Course B and just went straight into a “K-Rail” barrier.  Unfortunately, we arrived a few seconds too late, but our cameras captured the damage done to the bot.

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Damage caused by Gator Nation's crash into a concrete wall

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The sensor frame was significantly bent downwards from the crash, but as you can see in the video all the sensors seemed to be intact.  In fact, members of other teams watching the run told us that those sensors have withstood “much worse”.

Unfortunately, Gator Nation was one of twelve teams eliminated from the Urban Challenge qualifications yesterday.

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Complete Urban Challenge coverage here