International Aerial Robotics Competition

Virginia Polytechnic Institute's aerial robot autonomously inspects the target building before launching a subvehicle through a window in 2007.

The International Aerial Robotics Competition (IARC) is a university-based robotics competition held on the campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology. Since 1991, collegiate teams with the backing of industry and government have fielded autonomous flying robots in an attempt to perform missions requiring robotic behaviors not previously exhibited by a flying machine.[1] The term “aerial robotics” was coined by competition creator Robert Michelson in 1990 to describe a new class of small highly intelligent flying machines.[2][3] Successive years of competition saw these aerial robots grow from vehicles that could barely maintain themselves in the air, to automatons which are self-stable, self-navigating, and able to interact with their environment.

The goal of the competition has been to provide a reason for aerial robotics to move forward.[4] Challenges have been geared towards producing advances. From 1991 through 2009, six missions were proposed. Each involved fully autonomous robotic behavior undemonstrated at the time.[5][6] In October 2013 a seventh mission was proposed. It was the first to involve interaction between aerial robots and multiple ground robots.[7] In 2016, the competition and its creator were recognized during the Georgia legislative session in the form of a senate resolution as the longest running aerial robotics competition in the world.[8]

  1. ^ Christian Bruyere & Peter von Puttkamer, Producers; Mystique Films (2003-11-17). "Artificial Intelligence - Episode 1008". "Beyond Invention". Archived from the original on 2012-05-29.
  2. ^ ""No Pilots, No Problem: Students Build Autonomous Aircraft", IEEE, The Institute Online". 2006-08-07. Archived from the original on 2011-06-03. Retrieved 2019-04-08.
  3. ^ Nesmith, Robert (2016-08-24). "Georgia Tech Family Members at the Forefront of Aerial Vehicle Technology" (PDF). GTRI Home Page (archived). Retrieved 2016-09-10.
  4. ^ Michelson, Robert (October 2000). The International Aerial Robotics Competition - a Decade of Excellence. Unmanned Vehicles (UV) for Aerial, Ground and Naval Military Operations. Vol. Proceedings 52. Ankara, Turkey: NATO Research and Technology Organization, Applied Vehicle Technology Panel (AVT). pp. SC3–1 to SC–24.
  5. ^ Rex Humbard, Prod., Advanced Media LLC.; Brian Natwick, Exec. Prod., Discovery Communications (see http://www.hirsh.tv/experience.asp) (2001-02-18). "Airbots". "Discovery Science Channel". {{cite episode}}: External link in |credits= (help)
  6. ^ Licker, M.D., ed. (1999). "Autonomous Navigation", 2000 Yearbook of Science and Technology. New York: McGraw-Hill. pp. 28–30. ISBN 0-07-052771-7. Though work is currently underway to develop fully autonomous MAVs capable of indoor operations early in the 21st century using seek/avoid navigation strategies, the smallest most intelligent fully autonomous robots are currently those found in the International Aerial Robotics Competition.
  7. ^ "Official IARC Mission 7 Rules". Retrieved 2014-01-25.
  8. ^ "Senate Resolution 1255". Retrieved 2016-07-25.