From TORC Technologies:

In Out of Harm's Way, 2nd Lt. Brian S. Villiard asks, "Can remotely operated platforms get Marines off the road?"

TORC's answer? Yes, thanks to ARCH, its Autonomous Remote Control HMMWV System.

In the video, Michael Fleming, CEO of TORC, describes how TORC transitioned and commercialized its DARPA Urban Challenge technology to ARCH featuring the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle - the HMMWV, or "Humvee." TORC has also produced several other Urban Challenge technologies, including the ByWire XGV (computer controlled Ford Escape Hybrid), which provides other robotics developers with an integration-ready drive-by-wire platform.  The video includes a clip of the HMMWVs in action. Michael Fleming was named to the Virginia Blue Ridge Business Journal's 2009 "20 Under 40" list of young entrepreneurs.

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Update 9/21/09:  Latest from TORC on ARCH (Autonomous Remote Controlled HMMWV) - descriptions, photos, videos

TORC Technologies, located in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia, is commercializing intelligent robotic technologies into modular, interoperable, off-the-shelf products that enable customers to rapidly integrate and deploy robotic solutions involving unmanned and autonomous vehicles.  TORC is widely recognized as a leading source of teleoperated control and autonomous navigation solutions for unmanned vehicles.

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The Rackspace Tech Showcase is sponsored by Rackspace (R) Hosting.  Rackspace Email and Apps is a division of Rackspace located in Blacksburg, Virginia. 

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TORC Technologies gave me, Anne Giles Clelland, founder of Handshake 2.0, a dream of a ride in its ByWire XGV, an unmanned Ford Escape Hybrid converted to drive-by-wire.

What does that really mean?  It's the TORC car!  It's like magic!  And it's for sale!  I could buy one! 

Or someone could buy one for me...

Anne Clelland of Handshake20.com
Drives TORC's ByWire XGV Using Remote Control

Blog Diva, a.k.a. Anne Giles Clelland, has wanted a ride in a magical TORC car ever since she saw the fully autonomous version at a NewVa Corridor Technology Council meeting almost a year ago.  

Today, on The Smart Road in Blacksburg, Virginia, TORC Technologies made her wish came true.

David Cutter of TORC Technologies takes a photo of
Anne Giles Clelland, founder of Handshake 2.0,
waving her hand happily from the backseat of a
ByWire XGV - Hybrid Escape

From David Cutter, TORC Technologies:

TORC is already declaring the New River Valley Triathlon Valley Cup will be theirs.

For a bunch of engineers, TORC claims to be rather athletic, participating in softball leagues each year, and even sponsoring their first men’s basketball team this winter.  A few avid bikers, runners, and even a high-school swimmer or two mix it up with their sky-diving CEO, and they love a challenge.  Training has begun, and TORC is confident it will take home the Valley Cup. 

Any other companies want to step up to the plate and try to take on TORC in the New River Valley Triathlon corporate relay challenge for the Valley Cup?

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TORC Technologies is automating dull, dirty, and dangerous tasks by commercializing intelligent robotic technologies into interoperable off-the-shelf products, providing the essential building blocks for rapidly enabling autonomy on virtually any platform.

Located in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia, TORC is a rapidly growing company widely recognized as a leading source of teleoperated control and autonomous navigation solutions for unmanned vehicles.

Registration for the New River Valley Triathlon corporate relay challenge for the Valley Cup opens on Tuesday, January 6, 2009, at 7:00 PM.  Some Virginia races fill within an hour.  The New River Valley Triathlon will be held on Sunday, July 12, 2009 at the brand new, state-of-the art Christiansburg Aquatic Center.

The New River Valley Triathlon benefits the Mental Health Association of the New River Valley, Inc.