Aerial robotics enthusiasts from across the globe are gathering in Kingaroy for the annual UAV Challenge Outback Rescue. Hosted by QUT and CSIRO, the challenge has two categories, one for schools and an open division.
UAV Challenge organiser QUT Professor Jonathan Roberts said the all-girl DareDivas team from Mueller College at Redcliffe took out the school Airborne Delivery Challenge, with a $5,000 first prize.
"The Airborne Delivery Challenge required school teams to build their UAVs from scratch, designing and developing the software and hardware needed to deliver a hungry hiker (Outback Joe) a chocolate bar," he said.
"The DareDivas flew and dropped the emergency ration consistently close to Outback Joe.
"Mueller College's Hexfactor team took out second place with a team from Pete Knight High School in California, Spirit of Niles 1, coming third.
"This competition is invaluable because it gives the students first-hand experience in the practical applications of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) knowledge they're building inside the classroom.
"All young challengers put in an enormous amount of effort to build their aircraft and it shows in the outstanding quality of the competition.
"These students are professional, passionate and a pleasure to work with," Professor Roberts said.
Fifteen open teams from eight countries have passed the scrutineering phases of the Search and Rescue challenge that involves searching for Outback Joe in a rural setting and, if found, delivering him a heavier emergency package.
Professor Roberts said the mission had proved elusive to date.
"The UAV Challenge has been running since 2007 and we are hoping that this year one of the teams completes their mission and takes home the $50,000 prize money."
The 2014 UAV Challenge is sponsored by Insitu Pacific, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, CASA, Mathworks, Stanwell and DSTO. It is also supported by the Queensland Government, UAS Pacific, Raytheon Australia and The Australian Association for Unmanned Systems.
Track the open teams' progress on the UAV Challenge Live Facebook page.
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Media contact:
Katalin Csatlos
Kate Haggman, QUT Media, 07 3138 0358, kate.haggman@qut.edu.au.
After hours Rose Trapnell, QUT Media team leader, 0407 585 901.
