In 1990, AUVSI realized the need to introduce future generations of engineers, scientists and operators to unmanned systems. To that end, AUVSI has created four different Competitions to challenge students to design, build and deploy air, ground and underwater autonomous unmanned systems.
The missions and requirements for each Competition vary but the common thread in each is the requirement for autonomous operation: The entries are not remotely controlled but are programmed to sense their surroundings and respond accordingly, independent of any external control by an operator.
These Competitions have captured the imagination of students, industry, the media and the public as they have been featured on The Discovery Channel, Scientific American Frontiers and other television, radio and print outlets around the world.
Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC)
The IGVC challenges college student teams to evelop an autonomous ground vehicle that must navigate a complicated obstacle course, complete with an extensive list of mobility and design requirements. Partnerships between students and industry leaders enable the competition to not only serve as a unique educational experience, but also a way to get an inside view of design challenges and establish connections with potential mentors or future employers.
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Student Unmanned Air System (SUAS) Competition
16-20 June 2010
Webster Field
Patuxent River, MD, USA
The SUAS Competition, aimed at stimulating and fostering interest in unmanned air systems, technologies and careers, is focused on engaging students in a challenging mission. It requires the design, integration and demonstration of a system capable of conducting air operations to include autonomous flight, navigation of a specified course and use of onboard payload sensors. Additionally, students are required to submit technical journal papers and make oral presentations.
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International Aerial Robotics Competition (IARC)
11-14 August 2010
The IARC requires collegiate teams to create fully autonomous flying robots capable of negotiating urban warfare situations from a significand stand-off distands of 3km. Each aerial robot must independently find and enter a designated building to locate and relay specific target information in under 15 minutes. The IARC allows student teams to prepare for challenges that have robotic applications highly relevant to DoD or MoD programs.
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