UAE’s biggest robotics competition from 16th to 18th March gets ready for grand Abu Dhabi debut

WAM -- Preparations are in full swing for the grand debut of the Mohamed bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge, MBZIRC, the UAE’s biggest robotics competition, taking place from March 16th to 18th at the Yas Island Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. Teams from the 15 countries participating in the event have arrived in Abu Dhabi and are conducting test runs for the triathlon-style contest.

The final touches to the three arenas where the challenges will take place are currently underway. Arena 1 will host Challenge 2, where each team will have a total of 30 minutes to have their unmanned ground vehicles find and reach a panel and operate an attached valve stem. Arena 2 will be the venue for Challenge 1 which will require each team to deploy their unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs, to find, track and land on a moving vehicle within 20 minutes. Arena 3 will see teams take on Challenge 3 which will involve a group of UAVs working together to locate, track, pick and place stationary and moving objects within 30 minutes.

Challenges 1 through 3 will be held from March 16th to 17th over two trails, while the Grand Challenge will take place simultaneously in Arenas 1 and 2 on the 18th. University students from across the UAE are expected to flock to the event to catch a glimpse of advanced robotics technologies at work and meet with leaders in the field.

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Khalifa University’s Executive Vice President and MBZIRC’s Steering Committee’s Vice Chair, said, "The excitement has already begun as we wind up preparations for the inaugural Mohamed bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge. Just seeing the world’s best minds in robotics setting up and testing their technologies makes you reflect on the potential of their work to solve some of the world’s most pressing issues as well as how vital robotics is in the UAE’s quest for technological excellence. We are honoured to receive the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed for this event and we would like to take the opportunity to invite the public to witness it, cheer on the teams, and enjoy what MBZIRC has to offer."

Organised by Khalifa University under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the first-ever edition of the Mohamed bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge is the culmination of two years of intense screening which saw a broad field of 143 international candidates whittled down to 26 elite participants. At stake is US$5 million in total prizes plus team sponsorship, one of the biggest takeaways for robotics contests ever. This year’s challenge is supported by the Information and Communication Technology Fund, ICTF, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, ADNOC, and Norinco.

WAM/Rasha/Moran