Unmanned Systems Canada 2011 Student UAV-UGV Competition Results

Valcartier, QC– May 26, 2011 – Ten student teams from 9 universities across Canada competed in the Operational Phase of the 3rdUnmanned Systems Canada UAV-UGV Student Competition hosted by 5GSS, Valcartier Garrison from May 6 – 8 and were honoured at an Awards Banquet on May 8.

Fourteen teams had registered for the competition in September 2010; Phase 1 required the submission of design papers

with the judges providing technical comments and announcing the winners for that phase in midFebruary.  Phase 2 saw 8 UAV Teams and 2 UGV teams come to Valcartier for the operational portion of the competition.  Prizes for both the Phase 1 and Phase 2 winners were presented at the Awards Banquet.

The use of unmanned ground and air vehicles (UGV & UAV) in support of forest fire fighting was the challenge given to the teams entered in the competition.  They were tasked with providing critical and timely information to the on-scene fire commander on the location of hot spots, flames jumping a fire break and any people or vehicles in the area. The 2011 competition was a tremendous success and marked the first time that ground vehicles were included in the event.

Unmanned Systems Canada will continue to develop and promote interest and expertise in unmanned systems technologies at the university and college levels and encourage future generations of engineers to become involved in and contribute to a leading role for Canada in unmanned systems.  The students impressed the judges with their innovative

approaches to the challenges presented and by working together to make the most of the competition experience.

The year-on-year growth in the number of teams participating and the tremendous increase in overall capabilities exhibited is a testament to the potential of the next generation of Canadian engineers. The final results of the weekend activities were announced and cash prizes presented at the Awards Banquet on May 8th All teams  .who participated in the operational phase of the competition received a cash award; overall almost $17,000.00 was presented to the participating teams in prize money.

Unmanned Systems Canada extends its gratitude to Colonel Daniel Genest, Commander 5GSS, Valcartier and Garrison personnel who hosted the event and contributed their time to making the competitors feel welcome.  We also thank all the committee, volunteers, judges, and speakers who volunteered their time to make this event happen. Thank you to our Corporate Sponsors, as without their financial and on-the-ground support, this competition would not be possible. CDL Systems Ltd., ING Engineering Ltd.,  Novatel,  Aviya Technologies Inc,  CAE Inc.,  Cassidian, an EADS Company, Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC), Forest Protection Ltd. (FPL) , Insitu,  MDA Corporation, Xiphos Technologies Inc. , PwM Consulting, Brican Flight Systems, L3 Communications MAS Canada, Cascade Aerospace, Société de protection des

forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU).

The first Canadian UAV Student Competition, won by Team VAMUdeS of the Universite de Sherbrooke, was held at 5 Wing Goose Bay, Labrador in 2007. The challenge was to design an Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) to support civilian Search and Rescue (SAR) and ultimately fly a SAR mission with the aim of locating a downed aircraft and its survivors. The 2009 competition took place at CFB Gagetown, NB, won by Team Elise, Universite de Sherbrooke, and was also in support of Forest Fire Fighting.

Student Teams Competing in 2011 UAV-UGV Competition

Team Guardian, Simon Fraser University (UAV)

Team UVic AERO, University of Victoria (UAV)

Team Blackbird, Carleton University (UAV)

Team VAMUdeS, Université de Sherbrooke (UAV)

Team Zephr, University of Waterloo (UAV)

Team COBRA, University of New Brunswick (UAV & UGV)

Team Dronolab, École de Technologie Supérieure, Montréal (UAV)

Team RUAV, Ryerson University (UAV)

Team UTRA, University of Toronto Robotics Association (UGV)

Team SmartBird, École Polytechnique, Montréal (withdrawn UAV Phase 2)

Team Raven, Carleton University (withdrawn UAV Phase 2)

Team ARISE, University of Ottawa (withdrawn UAV Phase 2)

Team Snowy Owl, Royal Military College  (withdrawn UAV Phase 2)