DARPA Subterranean Challenge (SubT)

Challenge Overview

Tunnel Circuit (Oct 2019)

SODIUM-24 Robotics qualified as one of the nine finalist teams in the Virtual Track Tunnel Circuit. A solution was developed from the ground up, or rather, down, consisting of a team of four ground robots capable of automonously exploring an unknown tunnel environment.

SODIUM-24 Robotics was the winner of the 3rd place award, and, placing 2nd out of the self-funded teams, the $150,000 prize. The awards ceremony and technical interchange meeting can be seen here.

Urban Circuit (Feb 2020)

SODIUM-24 Robotics qualified as one of the eight finalist teams in the Virtual Track Urban Circuit. A solution of four ground robots was again used, this time extended to deal with the new challenges associated with an urban environment.

SODIUM-24 Robotics placed 6th after tying with Flying Fitches, which won in the tiebreaker. The awards ceremony and technical interchange meeting can be seen here.

However, a simulator anomoly was identified which, unfortunately, affected the accuracy and fairness of these Urban Circuit results. After performing a set of unofficial re-runs, SODIUM-24 Robotics scored 60 points instead of 7. This anomoly is believed to have been caused by a simulator bug (details here) which was resolved between the Urban and Cave circuits.

Cave Circuit (Oct 2020)

SODIUM-24 Robotics qualified as one of the seventeen finalist teams in the Virtual Track Cave Circuit. To deal with the new challenges associated with a cave environment, a team of 4 UAV robots in addition to the 4 ground robots was used.

SODIUM-24 Robotics placed 5th in the virtual Cave Circuit event.

Subt Finals (Aug 2021)

SODIUM-24 Robotics will be again competing in the Subt Challenge Final Event. More details to come soon.