Hello and welcome to the Robot Car Project!

Our goal is to give you a fun and difficult experience that will help you learn more about a high-demand STEM topic.

You can view all of our available courses here.

Did you know that the first fully autonomous vehicle is widely considered to be the "Stanford Cart?”

The Stanford Cart was initially developed as part of the "Industrial Artificial Intelligence" lab's research project at Stanford University in the 1960s. It gained significant attention and recognition when it participated in the inaugural Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Grand Challenge in 2004. The Stanford Cart renamed "Stanley" for the competition,  completed a 131-mile desert course, and won the first-place prize of $2 million. This event marked a major milestone in the advancement of autonomous vehicle technology.

Check out the video below to see some footage of this moment in history!

Currently, self-driving cars are being tested on public roads in various locations around the world. These vehicles use a combination of sensors, such as cameras, RADAR, and LIDAR, along with advanced software and algorithms to navigate and make decisions on the road. While fully autonomous vehicles that can operate in any driving condition are still being developed, there are already cars on the market with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) that offer features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. These technologies are paving the way for future fully autonomous vehicles.

Want to see for yourself? There's an incredible Waymo 360° Experience: A Fully Autonomous Driving Journey that you can watch. This virtual experience takes you on a ride in a self-driving car, providing a unique perspective on how the technology works and what it feels like to be in an autonomous vehicle. It's an opportunity to witness firsthand the advancements in self-driving car technology and how it's shaping the future of transportation.

The potential impact of self-driving cars is significant, including: 

• Improving road safety.
• Reducing traffic congestion.
• Increasing accessibility for people who are unable to drive.
• Transforming transportation systems leading to more efficient and sustainable mobility.

However, there are still challenges to overcome, such as refining the technology, ensuring safety, addressing ethical considerations, and navigating regulatory frameworks. 

What do you think? 

• How would you feel about riding in a self-driving car? What factors would make you trust or distrust the technology?
• How do you think self-driving cars will change the way we live and travel? What are the potential benefits and drawbacks?

You will be able to answer these questions and more as you progress through this Classbox. We will delve into the fascinating world of self-driving cars and explore the technology, design, and societal impact of autonomous vehicles. Get ready to embark on a journey where you will build a self-driving car, learn coding and algorithm design, explore AI object detection, and discover the ethical and sustainability considerations of this emerging field.