The rules and dates of the 2014 UAV Outback Challenge have been released - http://www.uavoutbackchallenge.com.au/index.cfm?contentID=49
The aim of this challenge is to design/build/operate a UAV beyond line-of-sight to search and 2.5km area for a missing hiker and drop a bottle of water to them within a 60 minute time limit.
The is a AU$50,000 prize for the winner, which is yet to be claimed.
Last year's first-place holder CanberraUAV used a APM2 based Mugin UAV and successfully found the missing hiker. Unfortunately, the bottle drop mechanism malfunctioned before they were over the hiker.
This competition attracts entrants (both amateur and university based) from across the world and it would be awesome to see more representation from the DIYDrones community.
(FYI - I am part of the CanberraUAV team, so I'm happy to provide further advice about the challenge)
Comments
Ausdroid: according to the challenge rules, Joe will be wearing a high-visibility jacket. It should be noted that there's other high-viz things such as roof and water reflections within the search area, making the filtering a bit more difficult
Has Joe been wearing the same clothing for all the challenges? Are teams trying to filter for the hi-viz jacket?
Was inspired by CUAV and the other teams while watching at Kingaroy 2012 to give it ago.
Sutherland Shire UAV
Ha Ha, I'd love to but my time is getting chewed up racing multicopters! :)
Actually I have a ATTO Pilot V3 here if anyone wants a good cheap autopilot??
Melbourne UAV has played a big part of the OBC success.You guys are UAV Rockstars! Encore!! Encore!!
Yeah, it's easy to say but another thing to do :)
Go on Scott...if just for the video challenge still the best.
Please do Scott! I hope 2014 is finally the year the judges need to get out the tape measure to see who wins.
Unless of course someone manages to land the bottle on Joes nose :)
Actually, that raises an interesting point - where on Joe do the organisers measure to? We got within about 3m of Joe in 2012, so its getting to the point where we need to know if we should aim for his head or feet :-)
Cheers, Tridge
It's tempting to get involved again!