The launch event was facilitated by a robot, which guided guests to their seats. The MBZIRC, organized by Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, will be held every two years and boasts a total prize fund of $5 million. The event's name is a tribute to the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
"This event will undoubtedly attract some of the best minds in robotics in the world, and will bring international attention to the UAE's growing robotics industry," commented Khalifa University President Dr. Tod Laursen. "Throughout history, challenges posed by governments, scientific communities, and international entities have often played a central role in promoting knowledge—the so-called 'space race' of the 1960s is perhaps one of the most memorable examples of this idea, and the UAE has recently taken up this theme with its aspirations for a mission to Mars. In a similar spirit, the MBZIRC will incentivize the future development of robotics technology globally by requiring research, invention, and real-world application from its winners. The challenges posed in this event will push participants beyond today's most advanced technology, requiring new developments and discoveries for success. We believe that a touch of boldness in specifying the challenges is crucial to the innovation process.".
The first MBZIRC will require competitors to develop aerial and ground vehicles capable of performing tasks in dynamic and complex environments. The challenge will be to create a vehicle capable of completing tasks in a simulated disaster response environment. This will involve collaboration between a group of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGTVs) in a changing environment that requires the robots to perform a series of tasks using autonomous navigation and environmental interactions. The challenge will be evaluated by an independent panel of international robotics experts.
Teams interested in participating in the challenge can find more information at http://www.mbzirc.com. Proposals must be submitted by June 2015, and participants will be selected in October 2015.
