Unmanned aircraft such as drones could be lifesavers in search and rescue missions for first responders.
Credit: Kansas State U.
BOULDER, Colo. — The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has launched a new prize competition to advance the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in first responder search and rescue operations.
Named the First Responder UAS Triple Challenge, this prize competition comprises three challenges with three different focus areas — all aimed at advancing UAS technology to support critical, lifesaving missions. NIST’s Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) division will accept contest entries beginning Aug. 2, 2021, with multiple stages running through June 2022.
“Our goal at PSCR is to accelerate the development and adoption of advanced wireless communications for the public safety community,” said Dereck Orr, the division chief. “These prize competitions are a way for us to find solvers from around the world to help us with this important research.”
The FastFind: UAS Search Optimized Challenge is focused on search and rescue operations using optical sensors and data analysis to improve image detection and location. The LifeLink: UAS Data Relay Challenge is centered on supporting continuous delivery of broadband data in a degraded cellular area, and the Shields Up! Securing UAS Navigation and Control Challenge asks participants to identify and demonstrate cybersecurity threats and countermeasures that prevent navigation and control of the UAS.
More than $700,000 will be awarded in prizes throughout the three competitions. Prize recipients will be determined by a panel of judges, assisted by a team of subject matter experts, through each stage of the competitions.
The First Responder UAS Triple Challenge is being hosted by NIST’s PSCR Division and managed by Kansas State University, in partnership with Mississippi Sta ..
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