What event is used to mark the start of the modern era of vehicle autonomy research?

Answer

DARPA Grand Challenges

The modern era of autonomy is typically dated from the late 1990s and early 2000s, spurred by DARPA Grand Challenges which forced solutions to real-world navigation problems.

What event is used to mark the start of the modern era of vehicle autonomy research?
inventiontechnologytransportautonomyintersection