Join the Excitement: DJI Developer Challenge Registration Now Open!
Attention developers and tech enthusiasts! The highly anticipated 2016 DJI Developer Challenge is officially open for registration. This is your chance to showcase your skills in one of the premier competitions in aerial robotics. Participants not only stand to gain access to exclusive DJI Developer equipment but also have the opportunity to vie for a staggering US$100,000 in prize money.
Collaboration with Industry Giants
The 2016 DJI Developer Challenge, now in its third consecutive year, is set to thrill the startup and development community. This year, DJI is collaborating with industry heavyweights, including Ford Motor Company and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). As aerial technology progresses, its applications in disaster relief and emergency response are becoming increasingly vital for NGOs, governmental units, and first responders worldwide. Notably, Ford, headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, is leading the charge in transforming its vehicles into intelligent, connected platforms, setting the stage for innovative advancements in crisis management.
A New Challenge Awaits
This year’s challenge revolves around a theoretical search-and-rescue mission that requires participants to develop an application for drones. The task involves enabling drones to autonomously launch from a moving vehicle, gather critical data on the location of survivors during a disaster, and relay that information back to the vehicle. Afterward, the drone must execute an autonomous landing on the same moving vehicle. This real-world scenario emphasizes the growing importance of integrating drone technology with traditional transportation.
Recognizing Past Achievements
In the previous year, the challenge was won by UT-Dronefly, a collaborative team from the University of Texas at Dallas and Penn State University. Their innovative application was geared towards safer and more efficient powerline inspections. The inaugural year of the DJI Developer Challenge saw Team BetterW, hailing from the South China University of Technology, create a forensics application specifically tailored for highway accident investigations. These past entries highlight the inventive spirit that the challenge seeks to foster.
Path to the Finals
The competition will see a total of fifteen teams proceed to the second round, selected based on their innovative ideas. These shortlisted teams will receive DJI’s flagship SDK aerial platform, the Matrice 100, complete with a Zenmuse X3 camera to assist in their development. Over the coming months, teams will be required to submit periodic progress reports leading up to the final competition. Ultimately, the top ten teams will advance to the finale, where they will execute their applications in a simulated search-and-rescue operation. This practical demonstration will involve launching and landing their drones on a moving Ford F-150 pickup truck while transmitting live data from the disaster site.
How to Get Involved
If you’re eager to participate in this exciting opportunity, you can find further information and register for the 2016 DJI Developer Challenge by visiting http://developer.dji.com/challenge2016. If you’re interested in becoming a DJI Developer or want more insights into the DJI SDK, you can explore additional details at http://developer.dji.com.
