Are you ready to take your skills to the skies?

We’re excited to invite Students, Innovators, and Robotics Enthusiasts to participate in a two-staged Indoor Autonomous Fixed-Wing Drone Pylon Racing Competition, hosted by the Purdue Center on Artificial Intelligence for Digital, Autonomous, and Augmented Aviation (AIDA³), Purdue UAS Research and Test Facility (PURT), and Rosen Center for Advanced Computing (RCAC). This hands-on challenge is designed for students and individuals passionate about robotics, control systems, and autonomous flights. Participants will develop a Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) solution to autonomously fly a fixed-wing UAV around a pylon course—first in simulation, then in real-world flight testing at Purdue’s state-of-the-art PURT facility.

🔗 Sign up and learn more: https://pylon-racing.geddes.rcac.purdue.edu/

🚀Why Join?

• Apply classroom knowledge to a real-world robotics challenge.
• Gain experience with ROS2, digital twin simulation, and flight testing.
• Compete for cash prizes.
• Collaborate with peers and mentors in a cutting-edge UAV environment.
• Build your resume with hands-on engineering and AI experience.

🧠Who Should Participate?

• Students from any college or university
• Individuals with beginner to intermediate experience in robotics and control
• Anyone curious about fixed-wing UAVs, autonomous systems, and ROS2.

🗓Key Dates (ET)

Event Date/Time

1. Virtual Submission Deadline
   Dec 01, 2025, 11:59 pm
2. Finalists Announced
   Dec 02, 2025, 11:59 pm
3. In-Person Competition
   Dec 06, 2025, 10:00 am

📅 RSVP for Info Session #1:

Sign up here to save a spot! RSVP Here Come in person to ARMS 2008 (food will be provided!) or join online.

🛠Simulation Platforms

Start practicing today using our simulators, that support “out of the box” simulations without local set-up (Local set-up is also an option for participants who have the resources and experiences).

We encourage you to register early and begin exploring the simulation tools. Whether you're looking to test your skills, collaborate with others, or simply learn something new—this competition is for you. Please share this opportunity with your classmates, clubs, and faculty! We look forward to seeing your UAVs in action! Warm regards,

AIDA 3 (Research Center on AI for Digital, Autonomous and Augmented Aviation) Purdue University