Thirteen university student teams from across Canada competed in the flying phase of the ninth Unmanned Systems Canada UAS Student Competition hosted by Centre d’Excellence sur les Drones (CED) in Alma, Quebec, from April 28 to 30. Congratulations to the winner, University of Toronto – UAV division.
The purpose of this annual competition is to promote and develop Canadian expertise, innovation and experience in unmanned systems technologies at the university and college levels. This year’s wildlife monitoring scenario tasked the teams to census and locate nests of three different types of geese in the remote Canadian wilderness. The special challenge this year was that the unmanned aerial system (UAS) was required to extract eggs from the nests to allow wildlife biologists to test the eggs for levels of pesticides.
This phase was preceded by a design phase for which submissions and winners were announced earlier this year. We congratulate all participating teams for their ingenuity, dedication and their respective institutions for the support given to their endeavors.
Phase 1: Design phase results:
1st place: University of Toronto -Aerial Robotics Division
2nd place: University of Toronto – UAV Division
3rd place: Université de Sherbrooke – VAMUdeS
Phase 2: Flying phase results:
1st place: University of Toronto – UAV Division
2nd place: Ryerson University – Team RUAV
3rd place: École de technologie supérieure – Team Dronolab
To recognize innovation, perseverance and a healthy competitive spirit, prizes recognizing those attributes were awarded. Unmanned Systems Canada is grateful for the participation of industry sponsors acting as judges to select the winners.
Innovation prize: École de Technologie Supérieure – Team Dronolab, who custom designed a robust modular system, easy to maintain, with the ability to integrate various payload components.
Pip Rudkin Memorial Award for Perseverance: University of British Columbia – UAS.
The team came prepared for adversity by bringing their UAS from last year. When both of their UAS became unserviceable they made extensive modifications to the spare one and were able to get good data.
Judges Award for professionalism: University of Toronto – Aerial Robotics Division. The team conducted themselves with professional standards demonstrating excellent communication skills, a plan for every step including the use of checklists.
Cash prizes were awarded for Phase 1 & 2 in excess of $20,000 at the Awards Banquet held Sunday (April 30) evening.
