The next UAV Challenge will take place September 29-30 at Calvert Radio Aero Modellers Society flying field, west of Ipswich, Australia.
The UAV Challenge runs on a two-year cycle and is open to high school students, universities and enthusiasts from around the globe. The 2015 event will host the high school-only component and comprises an airborne delivery and robotics challenge. Students must respond to a hypothetical emergency situation and deliver life-saving medical supplies to “Outback Joe” who is suffering from an allergic reaction.
Teams are invited to use a VTOL unmanned aircraft with an autopilot to deliver an Epipen as close as possible to Outback Joe so that he can treat his anaphylaxis immediately while medical aid travels to reach him.
Outback Joe has left a series of symbols in the flying zone to aid airborne assistance in finding him. A Search Grid, consisting of 8 squares each 30 metres to a side, will be set out in the Flying Zone. Each square of the grid will have a marker placed somewhere in it. Five or more of these markers will have a symbol that will only be visible from above. One of the markers will show the symbol “X” indicating the location where Outback Joe requires the Medical Package to be delivered.
Insitu Pacific managing director Andrew Duggan said the event is an important part of Insitu Pacific’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) engagement strategy and is ideal for developing young minds in the field of unmanned systems and autonomy.
“The UAV Challenge allows students to participate in a growing industry, in a real-world simulated situation,” Duggan said.
“They may not realise it now, but they are helping to contribute to the development of autonomous technologies and could very well be the next leaders in the field. We are proud to continue to support this fantastic event.”
Boeing Research & Technology-Australia business manager Peter Birt said “this is a key technology development area for Boeing Research & Technology-Australia in support of Insitu Pacific’s business growth, and it directly aligns with a key element of our mission to develop the next generation of in-country aerospace scientists and engineers”.
Insitu Pacific, the Australia-based subsidiary of Insitu Inc., announced its continued sponsorship for the event in 2015 and 2016 on 23 September. Together with Boeing Research & Technology-Australia, Insitu Pacific, confirmed $25,000 in joint-funding over two years.
To find out more, visit the UAV Challenge website.