Features / Tech
Europe’s only drone racing event arrives in Bristol
A massive drone racing event at UWE Bristol returns for its second year across Friday 23 and Saturday 24 March. Taking place at the University’s Exhibition Centre, Micro Aero Autonomous Extremes Europe (MAAXX) is Europe’s only indoor drone race.
The teams will race their hand-built drones around a 30m oval-shaped track, which is 50 per cent bigger than the race arena last year.
Drone racing has gradually gained momentum over the years but has recently grown sharply in popularity. “I think the time for drone racing as a sport has come. The development of drones over the past decade has been incredibly rapid due to the revolutions in smartphone technology,” says Lee Tustain, a student at UWE and part of one of the MAAXX drone teams that will be competing at the event.
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“A few years ago drones were generally big, lumbering beasts that cost a lot of money. Now, drones can be built on a small budget that are capable of over 100mph, and all of this is based on the same technology that you use to browse Facebook and Instagram on the go.”
A bi-plane drone built by a team of UWE students, who are hoping to fly clear of the competition. Photo by Lee Tustain.
Lee is studying aerospace engineering at UWE and is also part of the UWE Aero Society. He is hoping to work in the drone field once he graduates. “First-person view drone racing gives an amazing adrenaline rush that comes with all fast paced competitions. But autonomous drone racing, like at MAAXX, is a completely different animal. The anxiety is ramped up as you are no longer the one in control, but the elation when the drone completes a lap is unlike anything else,” he says.
The second part of the event on Saturday is free and dedicated to families. Alongside the drone race, UWE Bristol and the Royal Air Force will be assisting with opportunities to build an autonomous RAF airship, fly in a simulator, as well as take part in a coding competition to programme a drone.
For more information, visit www.maaxx-europe.com
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