Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128317
6ho§t. Rider Anthony Levandowski entered his Ghost Rider Robot into the recent DARPA (Defe nse Advanced Research Projects Agency) Grand Challenge , a 21O-mile challenge of autonomous vehicles traversing the desert floo r from Barstow, California, to Primm , Nevada, which was sponsored by the United States Department of Defense. The recent industrial engineering graduate has committed himself to the challenge of building the "world' s first autonomous motorcycle." Primarily using volunteer stu dents from UC Berke ley, he designed the multitude of systems required to balance, navigate, steer and manage the motorcycle's overall operation. A stability issue ended Ghost Rider's chance at winning the one million dollar grand prize at this challenge, but Levandowski hopes he can acquire sponsorship for next year's two million do llar challenge and be more competitive. "Single-track (two-wheel) vehicles cost less, are more efficient and can traverse more extreme environments because they only have to conform to the terrain in one axis," Levandowski said. "For this same reason, two-wheeled vehicles are the second-most common means of locomotion for humans - second on ly to walking" The other competitors chose four- or six-wheel platforms for their attempts. To see the Ghost Rider in action, go online to http ://www.ghostride rrobot.com/videos.htm.8 Bo§§ Hog'§ New Lid Eric Bostrom's association with clothing company Von Dutch has landed the Ducati Austin factory Ducati ride r his own limited-edition hat. Fans interested in the hat can log onto www.vondutch .com to pick up the limitededition Eric Bostrom hat, the fi;'t such product from Eric's new partnership with the California clothing company. The Bostrom hat was produced in very limited quantities and will only be available for a short period of time. Bostrom and Von Dutch are working closely together to design other products that will reflect Bostrom's unique style and character, products that will be made available soon . Von Dutch Originals is a Los Angeles-based clothing company specializing in fashions inspired by nostalgic vintage styled clothing and denim. Launched in its present form in 200 I, the company is named after the legendary hot rod "Kustom Kulture " king, the late Kenneth Howard, who under his professional name "Von Dutch " is credited with being the first to paint hot rod -style pin stripes and flames on cars and motorcycles in the '40s and '50s. Modern day enthusiasts identify themselves with "Kustom Kulture" - a lifestyle that appreciates everything vintage - from classic threads to custom hot rods and motorcycles. Von Dutch Orig inals reintroduces this lifestyle in clothing, Kustom Cycles, Von Dutch Collectibles and Toys for all ages. Von Dutch Flagship stores are located in Los Angeles, Beverly Hillsand Santa Monica, California, as well as Miami, Las Vegas and Chicago , and specialty clothing retailers across the United States , Canada, Europe and Japan. For more information, visit www.vondutch.com . 96 MARCH 31, 2004 • CYCLE NEWS 40th Anniversary