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The car set to navigate one of the toughest hill climb events – without a driver – is a vehicle modified with Audi's help.

Audi has revealed that it has been working with the Stanford University team that is developing a 'robot car' that can autonomously navigate the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in a reasonable time using rally driving techniques.

What's in a name?

The TTS model being used is nicknamed after Michele Mouton, a female rally driver who has played a significant part in Audi's racing history.

The Stanford Dynamics Design Lab, Volkswagen Electronics Research Lab and Sun Microsystems were all part of the team responsible for developing the software and hardware that guide the TTS.

Electronic goodies

Modifications included drive-by-wire steering, an active brake booster with by-wire control, a setup to interface with the transmission and gear shifter, electric parking brake and hardware from the VW lab to reproduce accelerator signals that mimic a driver pressing on the pedal.

The car also has a safety system that can shut down the vehicle if it determines that conditions have become unsafe. A second, remote system also allows a signal to be transmitted to the car from up to 32 kilometres away to engage the safety systems bring the car to a controlled stop.

Vehicle specifications

Weight (incl. sensors): about 1470kg

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