32 student robotic teams compete for Dh5 million win in UAE

Abu Dhabi - The youngsters are taking part in four robotics challenges that are testing advanced embodied AI technical skills.

 Thirty-two teams from universities across the globe have presented their intelligence (AI) skills in drone capture, construction automation, firefighting and emergency response to hopefully win the $5 million (Dh18.3 million) challenge.
Teams from 17 universities are competing at Mohamed Bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge (MBZIRC) 2020 which kicked off in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, February  23. The youngsters are taking part in four robotics challenges that are testing advanced embodied AI technical skills.
The three-day competition, organised by the Khalifa University of Science and Technology and held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (Adnec), include three challenges and a triathlon type Grand Challenge.
On Sunday, the teams had their first trial for the three challenges. "It is a tough competition but every team has their own way of understanding the challenges and comprehending how they are going to tackle the challenges," said 19-year-old Hussein Mehdi, from Emirates Aviation University, which is representing the UAE and the region in the competition.
"We have developed a robust system that can adapt to different situations. The cameras and flight controllers are already used by professionals. We have adapted that design and modified it in our own way."
The Pakistani national, who is part of the eight member UAE team, said their drone can be used to detect and extinguish fire. "The drone is made of carbon-fibre composite and the unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) is fire resistant. We have presented a well operating system l and we hope to win this challenge," said Mehdi.
He explained that their firefighting drone has a flight controller, pump system, nozzle and water tank which carries about six to seven litres of water. "It can carry approximately 20kg to 30kg of load and runs on four batteries. The drone has cameras in the front. We operate it using a control box which has GPS. It uses way points as well as object detection and object tracking to determine where the target is. For example if there is fire, it detects it autonomously through the camera and the processor. Another processing software determines the distance from the fire and the nozzle moves using salves to extinguish the flames," explained Mehdi.
He added that it took them a year to develop the three projects they have presented in the challenge and they spent Dh60,000 to buy the materials for the entire system.
Today will entail second trials for all three challenges, while the final winners will be announced tomorrow. MBZIRC 2020 is organised in parallel with the fourth edition of Unmanned System Exhibition (UMEX) and the Simulation and Training Exhibition and Conference (SimTEX) taking place at Adnec.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi