An international drone competition returns to north Wales June 16-18 with Welsh Government backing and a home team competing from Wrexham Glyndwr University.
The UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) Challenge is an international student drone design competition organised by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. This year the event is attracting a record 32 teams comprising hundreds of young engineers from as far afield as Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Canada, along with first timers from Denmark and the Netherlands.
The Challenge is staged over three days in the spectacular Snowdonia Aerospace Centre at Llanbedr, part of the Snowdonia Enterprise Zone, and has been building popularity over the past five years.
Colin Brown, Chief Executive of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said:
“We are delighted the Welsh Government has taken this opportunity to support the competition. The Challenge brings leading-edge drone technology to north Wales, which will raise the area’s aerospace profile internationally and help develop the regional skills base.”
The event benefits from the excellent facilities and infrastructure at the Snowdonia Aerospace Centre, itself a well-known drone-testing site which creates a supportive environment for developing this cutting-edge technology, and which has the opportunity to form alliances with academic and industry partners taking part.
The Challenge gives undergraduates an insight into the role of aerospace engineering on real-world projects, such as simulating a humanitarian aid drop, and requires a great deal of innovation from the students.
By Beth Perry
27/2/2019