First Robotics Systems Rodeo to be held in Abu Dhabi

The first Unmanned Systems Rodeo (USR) in the UAE will take place at the Higher Colleges of Technologies (HCT) in Abu Dhabi on May 4 and 5, 2011.

This was announced by the organizers of the rodeo, INEGMA, during a joint press conference with HCT, Northrop Grumman Corporation, and Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investment – ADASI.

Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Science will be the Patron of the event.

The USR will feature a competition for UAE tertiary students to design, build, test and pilot remote controlled unmanned aircraft. Competing teams will be judged for their presentation, speed, performance and endurance of their respective unmanned aircrafts.

USR is the first event of its type in the region and encourages students to apply their mathematical and scientific knowledge to a real world engineering project.

Students will learn the engineering process of designing, building and testing their unmanned aircrafts and will also develop teamwork and presentation skills.

Major General (Ret.) Khaled Abdullah Al Bu-Ainnain, President of INEGMA, said: “This fulfills an important element of the vision of the UAE leadership in transferring knowledge and technology to the new generations.” He added: “This event aims at enhancing the research and development skills of our young people. The Unmanned Systems Rodeo will be a yearly event, and our goal is to transform it into a regional then international event.”

Engineers from HCT, Northrop and ADASI will be assisting the participating students throughout the three months of preparations. Northrop engineers will be travelling from the United States to give courses on Airplane Parts & Basic Aerodynamics.

Dr. Tayeb Kamali, HCT Vice Chancellor said: “Unmanned Aerial Vehicle events are known around the world and this will be the first such event involving tertiary education students in the UAE, which is a great honor for us,”

“The HCT has a long tradition of providing the best possible educational and technology experiences for its students and this event will be an opportunity for HCT engineering and aeronautical students to learn new skills while being able to put into practice the array of learning tools they have obtained during their studies” Dr. Kamali said.

The first place team will receive an all expenses paid to the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International – AUVSI Convention for North America in Washington, D.C., USA from 16-19 August 2011. The students will have the opportunity to present their concept design to an audience at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C., USA.

The second place team will receive an award of educational value offered by ADASI.

Pam Frazier, Vice President of Northrop Grumman International, the presenting sponsor said: “Across the world, Northrop Grumman continues to focus on educational programs and partnerships, especially in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related (STEM) areas.”