UAV Challenge 2015–16

Insitu Pacific, the Australia-based subsidiary of Insitu Inc., has announced its continued sponsorship for the 2015–2016 UAV Challenge.

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.

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. Together with Boeing Research & Technology-Australia, Insitu Pacific has supported and sponsored the event since 2007 and has confirmed $25,000 in joint funding over two years.

“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.”

The UAV Challenge will take place 29–30 September at Calvert Radio Aero Modellers Society flying field, west of Ipswich, Australia. To find out more, visit the UAV Challenge website.