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Race for Sailing Robots
By webmaster | May 13, 2008
Microtransat Challenge is a racing competition for autonomous boats to be held in the Atlantic Ocean in the month of Sept/Oct 2008. There have been already 2 mini competitions taken place, the first in a Lake near Toulouse (France) and the other on the Irish Sea off the Aberystwyth, Wales, UK. The transatlantic race is scheduled to start from Viana do Castelo, Portugal and the finishing point would be between 10 degrees and 25 degrees North (near Bahamas) and 60 degrees West (near Trinidad and Tobago).
Although reaching the finishing point is a difficult task, the first boat to reach the finishing line will be declared as the winner and would mark a milestone in the history of sailing robots. If the event proves to be successful it would help the scientists to analyze the climatic change in oceans. Since these boats are unmanned, it would be easier for scientists to conduct their researches in dangerous zones also.
The competition is open to everyone – individuals, organization, companies, universities, colleges and schools. There is no entry fee as well as no winning prize (monetary) but the winner would surely earn the fame. The expected timeframe for this race is about 2 to 3 months and the competing boats should be no longer than 4 metres.
“Pinta, the Robot Sailing Boat” from Aberystwyth University, United Kingdom is one among the race participants. Other participants include Queen’s University (Canada), Team Savage (USA), Portencross Boys (UK), Team Robotboat (USA) etc.
Topics: Robotics |