Micro-chopper mission accomplished
The MAVSTAR micro-aerial vehicle team recorded impressive results in its latest international campaign.
Published on the 16 Jun 2009
UNSW's MAVSTAR micro-aerial vehicle team has conducted a successful campaign in its latest competition against university teams from around the world.
The MAVSTAR crew flew to Pensacola, Florida, this month to contest iMAV09, the 4th US-European Workshop and Flight Competition for Micro Air Vehicles.
Team leader Mark Whitty said MAVSTAR chalked up two wins - a result which was particularly pleasing after a demanding preparation period.
"The team attained first place for the quality of the journal paper and first place for their presentation of the MAV at the workshop," he said.
Following an impressive performance in the indoor competition, which tested the control and navigation abilities of the UNSW MAV, MAVSTAR was also awarded third place in that category.
Wrapping up an eventful period, MAVSTAR also recently appeared on ABC TV's New Inventors program's Dealing with Disaster special. The segment, filmed in the MAVSTAR workshop in the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, gave a national audience an insight into the capabilities and potential of the micro-chopper.
With the MAV currently operated by remote control, the MAVSTAR team are working steadily towards their goal of an autonomous aerial vehicle which will have applications in search, tracking and rescue situations.
Media Contact: Peter Trute | 02 9385 1933 | p.trute@unsw.edu.au