UAS Challenge organises a hybrid competition for 2021

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers is pleased to confirm that the UAS Challenge will take place with both in person and virtual options.

This decision has been taken by the UAS Challenge Steering Committee in order to minimise barriers to entry and maximise the benefit for all participants.

Whether competing virtually or demonstrating their UAS at the finals, the 2021 Challenge will continue to provide an opportunity for young engineers to develop their practical skills and gain valuable experience of working on a project that is close to the real world as possible.

Where teams are unable to travel to the UK or have restrictions placed on them by their university, those joining the virtual event will still be able to submit and get feedback on their work this year and take part in a virtual finals event in mid-June. Teams will also have their UAS modelled in the X-Plane 10 software to compete with an online simulation.

The virtual competition format follows the success of the 2020 UAS Challenge, in which all teams were able to compete in online presentations, owing to restrictions the global pandemic.

Those who will be able to travel safely to the UK will also be able to put their finished UAS to the test at the live finals. Taking place a month afterwards in July, these will form a condensed version of the traditional fly-off event and teams will have the chance to demonstrate the effectiveness of their UAS as they attempt to complete a series of tests and simulated scenarios.

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the UAS Challenge Steering Committee wishes all teams the best of luck as they prepare for the 2021 finals and look forward to finding out which teams will win each event category.