IMechE launches student drone challenge

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) has launched its student Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Challenge 2016. Sixteen teams from UK universities and one team from Egypt will compete to build the best UAS.

UAS, or drones, are predominantly known for their use in military and special operations, such as delivering humanitarian aid. The competition, now in its second year, will see the teams’ best young engineers design and build their drones before taking on the challenge to transport a package as accurately and rapidly as possible.

John Turton, chairman of the UAS Challenge, said: “The event has been set up to give the students real world engineering experience and practical aerospace engineering skills before they leave university. As well as developing connections with other like-minded students from other universities, the competition also offers recruitment opportunities for employers.”

The competition is aimed to inspire young people about engineering while raising awareness of engineering as an exciting career to follow. The event will be taking place at Pershore Airfield near Worcester on the 6 and 7 July 2016.