The Pentagon believes robots will play a key role in reducing human risk during military operations; the DARPA Grand Challenge may trigger just the technological breakthroughs they need.

The Pentagon believes robots will play a key role in reducing human risk during military operations; the DARPA Grand Challenge may trigger just the technological breakthroughs they need. In 2005, 195 teams from around the globe entered, yet only 20 of them survived the qualifying rounds for the final 132-mile race across desert terrain. Armed with artificial intelligence, laser-guided vision, GPS navigation and 3-D mapping, these contenders are some of the world's most advanced robots. From concept to construction to the final competition, NOVA delivers the inside story of brilliant engineers and their drive to create a champion.