Fort Benning’s International Aerial Robotics Competition tests ingenuity.

What if there was a robot that could fly? Perhaps, even save a life or gather information on an enemy?

That’s what future scientists and engineers set out to do Thursday at the 14th Annual International Aerial Robotics Competition at Fort Benning’s McKenna Urban Operations Site.

The first robot that can fly 3 miles, identify a building and enter it in less than 15 minutes wins $40,000. But no team has achieved that yet in four years of competition. Each year, $10,000 is added to the cash prize.

The University of Arizona, the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta, Ga., the University of Waterloo in Canada, and Simon Fraser University in Canada participated in the event. The five schools fielded teams of five to eight students.

“The biggest benefit is that these teams start with a theory and apply that theory. We want to let them be creative,” said Aaron Kahn, a judge and aerospace engineer in flight controls for the U.S. Naval Research Lab. He also said the event is a good way for students to be recruited for jobs in the technology industry.

Students raised as much as $45,000 this year to build and design a robot that can operate on its own to complete the contest’s missions.

Fort Benning was chosen as the site to have the competition because of its simulated village, which is used for military training.

“It provides us with the urban setting without injuring people or damaging personal property,” Kahn said.

Robert Michelson, founder of the international competitions, said Fort Benning’s support of aerial robotics and technology means a lot.

“We couldn’t do this without Fort Benning. You need logistic support. It makes a difference when someone takes a genuine interest,” he said.

Source: www.ledger-enquirer.com