Drone Race Challenge
20th-21st December, 2024
FPV drone racing competitions unfold on meticulously designed courses, often incorporating tight turns, obstacles, and unexpected twists. These courses serve as proving grounds for the pilots' ability to react swiftly, adapt to changing conditions, and maintain control of their drones at high speeds. At the core of FPV drone racing competitions lies a harmonious fusion of cutting-edge technology and human ingenuity. Pilots don specialized goggles that display a live video feed from the drone's camera, granting them the ability to navigate the course as if they were virtually seated in the cockpit. These goggles, coupled with sophisticated flight controllers and powerful motors, empower pilots to execute daring maneuvers, pushing the limits of drone technology.
- The competition is open for all 200 Teams are eligible to participate, encompassing both national and international countries.
- All participants will get a certification of Participation from All India Council For Robotics & Automation (AICRA).
- INR 175,000 to be awarded to winning teams.
Eligibility Criteria
- Open for all : Schools/Colleges/Universities every age group can participate.
THE TEAM
Drone Racing is a coed (mixed) sport and teams must maintain a diverse and inclusive roster. Each team roster must be coed and may have a maximum of ten players. The 3 active players are referred to as "Pilots", nonflying players are "Crew".
- Team captains can call in for pilot replacements in the event that a pilot is disabled for technical or other reasons.
- Teams can be of different sizes. But a minimum of 3 pilots per team is required either by virtue of the original team players or by max. 1 sub trade from an external team. Also captains can take two approaches to form their squad for a particular episode:
- Selection based on pure merit i.e. as per fastest qualifying time.
- Selection based on group vote provided all those selected have set their times on the track for that episode. This allows for rotation of pilots to occur.
Frame Size: All frames must pass a safety and airworthiness inspection. Once the airframe has been checked and approved, it must not be modified or changed, or it will need to be re-inspected.
- Size: 5 to 7 inches drones are allowed. That offers a good balance of power, agility, and durability.
- Material: Carbon fiber is the most common choice for its lightweight and high-strength properties. but other material also can be used.
- Configuration: X-frame or H-frame configurations can be used for FPV racing.
- Frame protection: A carbon fiber or fiberglass frame protector can be used to prevent damage in crashes
Motors:
- Type: Brushless DC motors are standard, offering high power and efficiency. Higher KV ratings indicate higher RPMs and better performance for racing. Typical KV ratings range from 2300 to 2600.
- Size: Common sizes are 2205, 2206, and 2207, with the choice depending on desired power and propeller size.
Propellers:
- Material: Carbon fiber or nylon are common choices for their strength and durability.
- Size: Typically 5 inches in diameter to match the frame size and motor power.
- Pitch: A higher pitch provides more thrust but requires more power, while a lower pitch is more efficient for longer flights.
- Landing gear: Landing gear can protect the propellers during landings.
Flight Controller:
- Processor: A powerful processor is necessary for fast and responsive control.
- Sensor: An accelerometer, gyroscope, and barometer are essential for stable flight.
- Software: Popular options include Betaflight and Cleanflight.
- Pilots will only use circular antennas on quads and antennas must be in good condition.
Battery:
- Type: 4S or 6S LiPo batteries are commonly used, offering high voltage for powerful flight. Piolet may carry 2 batteries and charger.
- Capacity: Higher capacity batteries provide longer flight times, but also add weight.
- C rating: A higher C rating indicates the battery can deliver more current, which is important for racing.
Camera & Video Transmitter (VTX):
- Camera: A high-quality CMOS camera with low latency is essential for a clear and smooth FPV experience.
- VTX: The VTX transmits the video signal from the camera to the pilot's goggles. VTX Rating = Switchable 25mW/200mW 5.8 Ghz for FPV with at least 40 channels with support for Raceband Channels.
- Frequency: 5.8GHz is the most common frequency for FPV racing. Raceband Channels (5658, 5695, 5732, 5769, 5806, 5843, 5880, 5917) and Channels 5645, 5740, 5800, 5860, 5945
- Power: Higher power allows for longer range and clearer signal in crowded environments.
Goggles:
- Display type: OLED displays offer superior image quality, while LCD displays are more affordable.
- Receiver: Must be compatible with the VTX frequency.
- Head tracking: Head tracking allows you to control the camera view by moving your head, which can be helpful for racing.
- OSD (On-Screen Display): An OSD displays telemetry data such as battery voltage, RPM, and flight time.
By considering security and entertainment factors and fostering continuous innovation, FPV drone racing competition playground will be not only exciting and challenging for pilots but also safe, enjoyable, and engaging for spectators. Track length would be around 200 meters and width appx 5 meters.
FPV drone racing is a thrilling and rapidly evolving sport. Teams are expected to stay updated on current regulations and best practices to ensure safe and enjoyable participation.
- There will be 3 Rounds of Qualifiers with pilots categorized into multiple heats. Each Heat will run for 3 laps which usually lasts for 3-4 mins.
- In the Qualifiers, each pilot will be given a chance to set their fastest recorded time. Top X number of pilots (usually 8 pilots where X is dependent upon the number of attending pilots) based on their fastest time set in the Qualifiers will progress through to the A Main Round. Pilots ranked beyond 8 in the Qualifiers will go into the B Main Round. One Pilot from B Main Round based on fastest lap timing will join the 8 pilots into the Semi Finals which will have a total of 9 pilots.
- 2 or 3 Rounds of Semi Finals will then be held depending upon the available time during the day with 3-4 pilots qualifying into the Finals based on fastest lap timing.
- The Final Round will follow a “Chase the Ace” Format, ie. the pilot that takes first place, twice (based on finishing order) will take Gold. The Final Round will consist of a maximum of 4 heats, comprising 3 or 4 pilots.
- A pilot placing 1st in any two of the 4 heats (need not be consecutive) will mark the end of the Final Round and obtain Gold. Silver & Bronze positions will be then calculated based on summation of points.
- Beginner Race Selections for Pro Race: Top 3 Pilots from Beginner Race automatically qualify for Pro Race. The remaining pilots are individually judged by the race judges on various parameters of flying such as speed and control of their drone to see if their skills can enable them to run the Pro Race and are accordingly qualified or disqualified. There is a “feel” system employed where the judges need to become confident of the beginners ability to qualify for the Pro Class.
- In the event of a mid-air collision after the start gate, pilots can resume the race if they are able to take off again without intervention, otherwise their heat is considered a DNF.
- Pilots must keep all aircraft in the disarmed state until they have been given the “ARM” signal. This will happen only when the aircraft has been placed on the starting deck.
- After the competition of a heat, pilots will immediately land and disarm only on the specified landing zone/ landing pad.
- All pilots will be allotted their respective frequencies and split into heats well before race day. Frequencies will be primarily allotted from Raceband Channels (5658, 5695, 5732, 5769, 5806, 5843, 5880, 5917) or from 5645, 5740, 5800, 5860, 5945 in case of certain situations where Raceband is problematic.
- Hard 2 min Pilot seated Goggles Down Timeout Timer with drone placed on race pod or ground. No excuses tolerated for even 1 extra sec. DQ for heat if timeout and E if complaining further and delaying others.
- 1 Race of 4 Pilots for Finals with winners based on First Finish order.
Point Structure
- 1st Place : 3 points
- 2nd Place : 2 points
- 3rd Place : 1 point
- DNS, DNF : 0 points
- In case of a tie in cumulative points, podium order will be decided based on the fastest timing in the event.
- Any pilot garnering 3 successive DQs will attain E (Elimination from the entire race).
- Pilots must adhere to all rules within the competition venue, and will not fly in any other part of the venue unless it is a designated flight zone.
- No pilot other than those actively participating in the current heat will plug in their quads until the heat is completed and all the pilots have landed. This will be announced by the race director.
- If one or more pilots of any team are scheduled to go for the next round starting in 1 min, and if they are disconnected from the game server for any reason then a timeout timer of 2 mins will be started for that pilot(s). If the pilot(s) is unable to reconnect to the game server and is in a ready to go position on the start launch pad before the timeout timer expires then the point goes to the opposing pilot competing internally (as per A. Roster Format given above). If both the pilots from two teams timeout then they both are awarded 0 points for that round.
- Any pilot found non-adherent to specified frequencies, VTX output levels and LED color after the initiation of a heat will convey a DNS to the race director or will risk attaining a DQ
- In the event of a night race, external LEDs (12 bright LEDs recommended) per quad are mandated. Said LEDs should be such that the drone is brightly and clearly visible in the night sky irrespective of the drone’s physical orientation. Failure in conforming to this will result in attaining a DQ as per the discretion of the race manager.
- Any heat including finals will restart only if there is a false start or contact between any two drones resulting in a crash previous to the start gate.
Given race circumstances, all pilots have to say yes to a suggested modification for the rule to be applied to that race.
Pilots will be given a best of 3 rounds max. in which to record their best lap time in the Qualifier Rounds. 1 round is mandatory while 2 rounds are optional if the pilot is happy with his/her lap time in any of the 3 rounds max. - Once pilots have successfully completed all laps, they must return to the start/finish pad, land and DISARM.
- Pilots that have crashed at any point during the heat and are unable to resume racing must DISARM their aircraft and wait until the heat is over.
- Race tracks would have gates, pilots must successfully fly through all gates, around the flags, and other obstacles (if any) on the course. If a pilot misses an obstacle or gates, they must safely turn around and attempt the obstacle again. If they don’t turn around and continue to race, that entire heat would not be counted.
- If a pilot due to any reason, knowingly/unknowingly/accidentally goes out of bounds then pilots first priority should be to get the drone back in the bounds. And continue to race. If such an incident occurred multiple times then organizers have full right to disqualify the pilot from heat or the whole event.
- In the event of a crash or the inability to resume flight safely, the pilot must immediately DISARM their aircraft and give the Thumbs Down signal. For that heat pilot is deemed as DNF.
- Pilots may have multiple airframes, and each airframe must pass all safety and airworthiness checks before flying.
- Misconduct - Players, coaches, and spectators must exhibit respectful conduct at all times. Officials may remove participants from the Match or Tournament for infractions or violations of the Code of Conduct.
- Early Start - Players will arm but remain on the ground until the start signal begins the Set.
- Offsides - After a successful goal, the striker and all teammates must retreat back across the centerline before attacking again. No point will be awarded until all active teammates have all cleared the attack zone.
Venue : Delhi/NCR (India)
Registration Fee :
- For Indian resident: INR 2950/- (Inclusive GST) per challenge.
- For Non India resident: USD 50 per team.
Prize Bifurcation: INR 100,000 (1st Prize) | INR 50,000 (2nd Prize) | INR 25,000 (3rd Prize)
Registration mode : Online.
Accommodation : For inquiries regarding Hospitality Partners you can contact on this Number
+91-9289095404
For Any Query :
Feel Free To Call : (+91) 9289095404
Email : info@technoxian.com