The competition task changes every year. This year, teams were required to develop an autonomous UAV capable of simulating crop treatment or irrigation. The aircraft had to carry a liquid payload (clean water), fly an autonomous predefined route, and accurately dispense the required amount of water at designated coordinates.
The 18-member student team began designing, building, and testing the aircraft already during the winter. The team brought together students from several different study programmes, including many first-year students. BlueNimbus was organised into several sub-teams with responsibilities ranging from aircraft design and engineering to communications and social media management.
Although the BlueNimbus team prepared thoroughly for the competition, it was unable to complete its first mission successfully after the aircraft crashed due to a software failure. The team had also brought a second aircraft, which was scheduled to perform a demonstration flight on the final day of the competition. However, due to strong winds, the team jointly decided to cancel the flight for safety reasons. They then remained at the event to support the other competitors and follow the remaining flights.
The team's ambitious decision to build an aircraft with Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) capability received high praise from both the judges and fellow competitors. In addition, BlueNimbus received recognition in the Operational Supportability Award category.
Marleen Nõmme, a member of the project's management team, reflected on the past six months: "It was a tremendous amount of work, but the team gained invaluable experience. Although we didn't reach the podium, we are leaving with very positive emotions." She added that the experience has provided strong motivation to return to the competition next year.
According to Nõmme, the BlueNimbus team is sincerely grateful to all supporters and sponsors whose contributions made participation in the competition possible and who enthusiastically supported the team throughout the project. Special thanks also go to the Estonian Aviation Academy, which has supported the project from the very beginning with both expertise and practical assistance.
The BlueNimbus project team consists of Mihkel Kersa, Annabel Juuriste, Henri-Oliver Saks, Franko Mesi, Oskar Michelson, Erik Jääger, Henry Russak, Hardi Brück, Geor Kainel, Kaur Toom, Matias Rasevicius, Oliver Kiisk, Ats Härmson, Martin Gross, Marleen Nõmme, Liina Sarv, Lotta Siim, and David Biro.
The IMechE UAS Challenge is one of the world's largest student competitions dedicated to unmanned aerial systems. This year, a record 54 teams from around the world registered to compete.