Automotive X-Prize update: shakedown round (track test videos)
 

The testing has begun, here is a link to some of the results.

Consumer Reports Cars Blog: Automotive X Prize: Shakedown continues, drama ensues

...is anybody "...keeping scores..." (ie: a tally table or similar) on how everybody is faring?

...as a number-junky Cuba Gooding Jr might say: "...show me the NUMBERS..." (ha,ha)

So far, it has been safety checks and basic tests like accident avoidance maneuvers and minimum acceleration tests. Lots of glitches and stumbles, but no team gets eliminated yet -- and no efficiency tests, yet.

Neil -

Thanks for the on the ground updates. Keep 'em coming!

CarloSW2

I'm not there -- just reporting what I have read/seen from the Aptera Forum, on Facebook, the X-Prize site, and other sites, like the Consumer Reports post.

X-prize schedule
 

Here is the schedule posted in yesterday's local paper.

Eyes on the X Prize
Key dates for the $10 million Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize competition:

• April 26-May 7: Shakedown Stage, Michigan International Speedway. Cars go through technical inspections as well as testing for acceleration, braking distance and stability, lane change, refueling, mileage and performance testing.

• June 20-30: Knockout Stage, MIS. Teams must pass tests for range, emissions and real-world performance, while achieving at least a level of 67 miles-per-gallon fuel efficiency. Failure at this stage to pass tests at a minimum of 67 mpg eliminates the car.

• July 19-30: Finals Stage, MIS. More efficiency testing with speed and acceleration judged in scored competitions against other finalists.

• Aug. 1-21: Validation Stage, Chicago: Final technical testing. Points awarded and combined with other competitions to determine overall winners.

• June 25 and July 23: Public days at MIS.

A short quote from the article was this:
"The public will have an opportunity to see these cars in action June 25 and July 23 at MIS. Details of the public days at MIS have yet to be announced.

The cars are being judged for fuel efficiency, safety and environmental friendliness. The cars must also be production capable in volumes of at least 10,000 vehicles per year.

This week, as part of the competition’s Shakedown Stage, the cars are being tested and graded for acceleration (0-to-60 mph), braking and crash avoidance."

Most of the article was descriptions of some of the cars with the word "futuristic" in pretty much all of them, but not much solid info.

Handful of futuristic cars in $10 million X Prize on display in Lansing; safety inspections, on-track competition kicked off this week at Michigan International Speedway | - MLive.com

Lotsa' pictures!

XPRIZE Shakedown Stage from Michigan International Speedway - a set on Flickr

Illuminati Motors video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7njTG7RNNcs

And pictures:

http://illuminatimotorworks.org/photos.php

http://onlocation.consumerreports.or...-rear-open.jpg

http://onlocation.consumerreports.or...front-open.jpg

Aptera's troubles in slow motion:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuQIR...layer_embedded

Okay, the X-Prize teams from outside the USA start next week, so FVT is on their way:

Todd Pratt (FVTechnologies) on Twitter