DARPA [PDF] has put a good spin on the rather lackluster results of its robot race:
“Today was a most important first step in a long journey,†said Dr. Anthony Tether, Director of DARPA. “Although none of the vehicles completed the course, and we were not able to award the cash prize, we learned a tremendous amount today about autonomous ground vehicle technology. Some vehicles made it seven miles, some made only one mile, but they all made it to the Challenge, and that in itself is a remarkable accomplishment.â€
Thomas Edison is quoted as having said, “Results! Why, man, I have gotten a lot of results. I know several thousand things that won’t work.” Perhaps Dr. Tether is operating on the same principle.
