This Saturday, West Lafayette, Ind.-based Purdue University is hosting the “Collegiate Drone Racing National Championship,” which will feature 48 drone pilots from schools across the U.S.
According to a news release from the university, the Purdue Drone Club will compete against teams from schools including the the University of California, Berkeley; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; Virginia Tech; Georgia Tech; Oklahoma State; Tennessee Tech; the University of Alabama; and the University of North Dakota, says Tyler Landers, president of the Purdue Drone Club.
“Collegiate drone racing is an up-and-coming sport,” says Landers. “In January, Purdue hosted the first-ever intercollegiate drone race with Ohio State University and the University of Illinois. We are hoping the national championship gives the sport an even bigger boost.”
Every pilot competing builds his or her own drone, Landers adds. The pilots will then navigate a complicated obstacle course at speeds reaching 80-90 mph. Prizes include motors, video goggles, video transmitters and other equipment for drone racing.
MultiGP, a racing special interest group for the Academy of Model Aeronautics, is assisting with sanctioning the event. In addition, the race will be live-streamed through FPVLive.tv. The event will be free to the public, the university notes.
Leave a Comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *