The Carnegie Mellon University Tartan Racing Team, with it's GM  Chevrolet Tahoe "Boss" entry, claimed first prize today in the DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) Urban Challenge.  The Urban Challenge is a competition between vehicles that drive themselves in a mock urban environment.

"This competition has significantly advanced our understanding of what is needed to make driverless vehicles a reality," said Larry Burns, GM vice president of R&D and Strategic Planning.  "Imagine being virtually chauffeured safely in your car while doing your e-mail, eating breakfast and watching the news.  The technology in "Boss" is a stepping stone toward delivering this type of convenience."  

GM is focused on reinventing the automobile in ways that enhance driving safety and  reduce traffic congestion, energy consumption and emissions," Burns continued.  "We look forward to integrating the technology we used in this race into our cars and trucks, and to ensuring future personal transportation is sustainable."

In addition to GM and Carnegie Mellon University, the Tartan Team is supported by the following sponsors: Caterpillar, Continental AG, Intel, Google, Applanix, TeleAtlas, Vector, Ibeo, Mobileye, CarSim, CleanPower Resources, M/A-COM, NetApp, Vector, CANtech and Hewlett Packard. 

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 76 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 280,000 people around the world.  With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries.  In 2006, nearly 9.1 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands:  Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall.  GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services.