DARPA Urban Challenge - autonomous vehicle research and development program

"The DARPA Urban Challenge is an autonomous vehicle research and development program with the goal of developing technology that will keep warfighters off the battlefield and out of harm’s way. The Urban Challenge features autonomous ground vehicles maneuvering in a mock city environment, executing simulated military supply missions while merging into moving traffic, navigating traffic circles, negotiating busy intersections, and avoiding obstacles."

Here we have another instance of "mass collaboration" wherein appropriately qualified and interested individuals may apply or be invited to take up the challenge to develop new technology, or to solve a social or military problem.

"The Urban Challenge teams come from across the United States and around the world, and share a passion for the advancement of robotic technology and machine intelligence. This diverse group includes teams from both academia and the robotics, automotive, and defense industries. Some teams are affiliated with organizations, others are groups of volunteers who have come together specifically for the challenge. Each is working to develop a vehicle to complete the 60-mile urban course in less than six hours." Source: The DARPA Urban Challenge

Such autonomous ground vehicles could provide an alternative to air drops (see below or in archives) in reducing casualties on road convoys attacked by IEDs.