ABU
DHABI, United Arab Emirates /PRNewswire/ --
The Mohamed Bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge intends to
attract the world's best and brightest in robotics
The launch of the Mohamed Bin Zayed International Robotics
Challenge (MBZIRC) was announced in a press conference at Khalifa
University in Abu
Dhabi, UAE on February
15, 2015. The launch event was facilitated by a robot, who
directed guests to their seats. MBZIRC, organized
by Abu
Dhabi-based Khalifa University, will be held every two years
and boasts prizes worth a total of USD
5 Million. The event is named after the Crown Prince
of Abu
Dhabi.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150518/744194)
"This event will undoubtedly attract some of the best robotics
minds in the world, and bring international attention to the
growing robotics industry in the UAE," said Khalifa University
President, Dr. Tod
Laursen. "Throughout history, challenges issued by
governments, scientific communities, and international entities
have often played a central role in advancing knowledge - the
so-called "space race" of the 1960s is perhaps one of the most
memorable examples of this idea, and the UAE has picked up this
theme recently with its aspirations for a Mars mission. In a
similar spirit, the MBZIRC will spur future development of
worldwide robotic technology by requiring research, invention and
real-life application of its winners. Challenges issued in this
event will stretch participants a bit beyond the current state of
the art, such that new developments and discoveries will be needed
for success. We believe that a bit of audacity in challenge
specification is key to the innovation process."
The first MBZIRC will require competitors to develop aerial and
ground vehicles capable of executing tasks in complex, dynamic
environments. The challenge will be to create a vehicle that can
complete tasks in a simulated disaster response scenario. It will
involve the collaboration of a group of unmanned aerial vehicles
(UAVs) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) in a changing
environment that requires the robots to carry out a series of tasks
using autonomous navigation and environmental interactions. The
challenge will be judged by an independent panel made up of
international robotics experts.
Teams interested in entering the challenge can find more
information at: http://www.mbzirc.com.
Proposals must be submitted by June
2015, and participants will be selected in October
2015. Also, individuals can look for more information on
MBZIRC on social media via #MBZIRC on Twitter and Facebook
@MBZIRC.