2025 AIHEC
STUDENT CONFERENCE
NASA Unpiloted Robotic Vehicle Competition
Required Non-Academic Competition
Registration Deadline February 14, 2025.
AIHEC 2025: NASA ACERO UAS Wildland Fire Challenge:
Students will use basic programming and robotic navigation skills to control uncrewed robotic systems through an obstacle course and complete a task. This simulates some of the challenges NASA teams currently face as they attempt to integrate drones into existing real-world scenarios including using these vehicles to help mitigate wildland fires and assist firefighting crews on the ground.
This form shall be submitted by February 14, 2025.
Contact:
Lisa Wininger, lisa.a.wininger@nasa.gov, (269) 532-3048
Please contact Lisa directly with questions.
Background:
A major wildfire has broken out in a mountainous backcountry area. Smokejumpers and other firefighting personnel are on site, fighting to contain the blaze from spreading into adjacent ranchlands. However, their location is not accessible via roads so no resupply vehicles can reach them yet. The crew is running low on essential supplies and materials to continue operating their equipment such as fuel, oil, extra chains, and other small parts for their chainsaws, along with batteries for communication devices. These relatively lightweight items can be delivered quickly via unpiloted aerial vehicles (UAVs), often called drones, without risking human lives. The craft can then return to its home base for resupply.
Description:
Your team’s mission will be to identify the best route to deliver these items while avoiding natural and manmade hazards and airspace reserved for crewed aircraft. Dangerous flight areas, rugged terrain hazards, and other obstacles will be in your way. Once you have identified the safest yet quickest route, you will guide your vehicle plus cargo to the designated landing zone (LZ) and return safely back to your home zone (HZ).
Rules
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Team size: 2 – 3 members
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Need own device for programming if teams are competing in the Level 3 challenge (see below)
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Coding software will be provided for Level 3 – no advanced coding skills are necessary
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Teams will work through one of three levels of operation:
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Level 1: A remote control is used to direct the vehicle through the mapped course to the LZ and back to the HZ.
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Level 2: A remote controller is driving the vehicle to the LZ and back to the HZ from a ground control station with no direct line of sight to the course. A teammate who has a direct view of the course relays instructions to the controller.
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Level 3: Create a block-based code to successfully navigate the vehicle through the course and back.
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The challenge is points-based. The winning team from each level will be the team with the most points.Points awarded based on time to completion and accuracy—time and points will be lost if vehicle enters off-limit areas.Off-limit areas
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Leaving designated course area and entering crewed airspace
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“Crashing” into hazards or other obstacles
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Competition Guidelines & Procedures:
Teams will decide in advance which level challenge to complete. Teams who are completing either the Level 1 or Level 2 challenge will have 30 minutes to complete all tasks. Level 3 challenge teams will have 60 minutes to complete their tasks. These time periods should allow multiple course runs, and the highest scored mission will be recorded. Teams will be able to sign up for preferred time slots to complete the mission.​
Criteria by Level
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Levels 1 and 2: Teams must use the provided robotic vehicle and remote control to complete the challenge.
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All levels: Teams must complete all course challenges.
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Level 3: Teams will use block programming to create a program that directs their vehicle to complete the challenge.
Constraints
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Team vehicle must avoid any designated hazards.
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Teams may not touch their vehicle after it is placed on the playing field.