Las Vegas-based DAV Productions Selected to Produce 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge

Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) November 7, 2007 -- DAV Productions, a Las Vegas-based event solutions and audio, video and lighting production company, recently produced the 2007 Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Urban Challenge in Victorville, CA.

DARPA's mission for this project is to develop autonomous technologies that allow vehicles to navigate themselves through an urban environment, while facing the difficulties of interacting with other vehicles, both manned and unmanned, as well as intersections. Ultimately, the military plans for a large percentage of combat vehicles to function fully-autonomously in the field. In order to serve this end, DAV Productions provided complete event production services and broadcast media coverage for the Urban Challenge event.

In order to provide information to race officials and spectators, cameras were positioned along the course to transmit live images back to the control center at the finish line, where race officials, participants and the thousands of spectators could track the event in real time. DAV Productions added displays for live video content as well as real-time tracking information for the race.

"We were able to overcome some challenging logistical obstacles while covering the race," said Ryan Legue, Director of Sales for DAV Productions. "Most events occur in a single venue--and primarily indoors. But the Urban Challenge took place on a decommissioned Air Force base in Victorville, CA, where we had to prepare for constant winds, dust and tent production environments. It took some careful planning and detailed execution, and from a production perspective, our team was able to make the technical components of the race run flawlessly."

DAV Productions created pre-race videos of the contestants that were broadcast on the events streaming website. The company also provided LCD projectors to show the race to the 2,000 attendees, an outdoor LED wall, a full stage and lighting setup, developed and operated a media area for continuous press conferences and produced highlight videos of the event that are currently being shown on the event's website, www.darpa.mil/grandchallenge. DAV also assisted in the integration of broadcast signals from BSI Sports, who provided in-car camera coverage of the autonomous vehicles.

The DARPA Urban Challenge consisted of 11 teams from around the world, pared down from the original 89 competitors, with Tartan Racing of Pittsburgh, PA, earning top honors and the $2 million cash prize.

DAV Productions is an event and multimedia production company with offices in Las Vegas and Chicago. DAV serves the video and media needs of agencies and corporate clients, as well as the staging, labor and coordination requirements of tradeshows, conventions and special events. For more information, contact DAV Productions at 702-795-8805 or visit online at www.davproductions.com.

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