The United States National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking innovators for its First Responder Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) Wireless Data Gatherer Challenge, also known as UAS 6.0.
As a first responder, the need to investigate accidents, as well as prepare for and adapt during a rescue, requires collecting various types of data about the potentially dangerous environment. In radio-complex outdoor environments, where communications infrastructure may be non-existent, UAS’ ability to collect information, via visual inspection and radio communication, from devices in the field, could be imperative to gaining situational awareness and deploying critical resources.
NIST is looking for applicable expertise across and beyond the UAS ecosystem who can contribute invaluable knowledge and ingenuity in artificial intelligence (AI), radio communications and mapping, Internet of Things (IoT), cybersecurity, and more.
Interested parties are invited to complete a research paper on relevant component technologies by July 26. A panel of SMEs and judges will review all eligible papers from which judges will select winners to receive prize awards. Prizes for this stage include cash prizes and those selected are encouraged to enter the second stage where capabilities will be measured with a view to progressing to scenario testing.
NIST says the challenge results will support the public safety community and its partners to improve real-time situational awareness and save lives while operating in potentially dangerous radio-complex outdoor environments without fixed communications infrastructure or satellite communications.
For more information
