The Lake Kivu Challenge Flying Competition winners have been announced!
Emergency Delivery
Prize: £60,000
Sample Pick-Up
Prize: £60,000
Find and Assess
Prize: £60,000
Data Analysis Award
Prize: £15,000
Airmanship Award
Prize: £15,000
Innovation Award
Prize: £15,000
Safety Awards
Prize: £5,000 and safety equipment sponsored by Iris Automation
Finalists
Emergency Delivery
Sample Pick-Up
Find and Assess
Competition Background
The Lake Kivu Challenge Organizing Committee invites UAS companies (manufacturers and operators) to help advance the safe implementation of electric cargo UAS transport, digital aviation solutions and related infrastructure in the Lake Kivu Region in Rwanda. Companies must fulfill the minimum requirements in order to participate in one or several of three competitions that are designed to push the boundaries of and demonstrate the current state of electric VTOL UAS technology for African markets. The aim of the competitions is to identify contractors to provide delivery and mapping services around Lake Kivu, specifically around the Karongi District.
Mission
Safely deliver an emergency package weighing a minimum of 1kg from the droneport on the mainland to Bugarura Island in Lake Kivu and then return and land safely at the starting point. The distance between the droneports is around 20km. No battery swap is allowed at the drop-off location.
Minimum Requirements
- Deliver a minimum of two (2) 500ml saline bags to Bugarura Island
- The cargo item arrived in full integrity
- Standard Operating Procedures submitted by the teams ahead of the flights were followed
- The cargo drop-off required minimal intervention at the destination location
- No battery recharge or change at delivery site
- The aircraft returned successfully to the origin in a timely manner after dispatching the cargo
- Contingency procedures, such as rerouting were successfully implemented
- No physical items on the ground outside of the designated landing areas were hit
- Maintain Polygonal Geo fencing
- Continuous C2 telemetry link
Mission
Take off from the mainland droneport and safely pick up as many 250g modules as possible from the droneport on Bugarura Island on Lake Kivu and return them to the mainland droneport.
The distance between the droneports is around 20km. Several packages may be carried at one time. No battery swap is allowed at the pick-up location. Pick up as many 250g modules as possible from the droneport on Bugarura Island and return them to the mainland on the shores of Lake Kivu. Several packages may be carried at one time.
Minimum Requirements
- Pick up a minimum of one (1) 250-gram package that contains a number of liquid-filled glass ampoules
- The cargo item arrived in full integrity
- Standard Operating Procedures submitted by the teams ahead of the flights were followed
- The cargo drop-off required minimal intervention at the destination location
- Contingency procedures, such as rerouting were successfully implemented
- No physical items on the ground outside of the designated landing areas were hit
- Maintain Polygonal Geo fencing
- Continuous C2 telemetry link
Mission
Successfully identify the coordinates of both land-based and water-based targets in Lake Kivu, then return and land safely at the starting point.
Minimum Requirements
- Standard Operating Procedures submitted by the teams ahead of the flights were followed
- Takeoff and landing occurred successfully within the designated area
- Precision of autonomous take-off and landing (hand launch with an automatic takeoff sequence is also considered to be an autonomous take-off)
- Maintain Polygonal Geo fencing
- Continuous C2 telemetry link
Who is involved
All flying competitions in the LKC are open to companies that fulfill the rigorous minimum requirements and that are committed to advancing the use of cargo drones and mapping drones in the Karongi District, Rwanda and Africa.
Activities
Contestants will demonstrate drone operations, provide presentations at the expo and / or symposium, exhibit technology, and respond to questions from participants. Contestants will engage in stakeholder dialogue and network with high-level decision-makers around expanding the use of UASs in Rwanda and Africa.
Why participate
- Win a contract for cargo delivery services using drones for data collection and mapping services;
- Support the integration and use of drones to improve information, supply chains and logistics in Rwanda and the Region;
- Media exposure;
- Brand placement and visibility;
- Gaining experience operating in challenging environments;
- Be an active driver and shaper in a community of practice that advances thoughtfully the application of UASs to improve supply chains and advance sustainable economies in Africa.
Logistical Information
Finalists will be invited during phase III to Karongi District to demonstrate their flying operations in front of a jury and to participate in the African Drone Forum Symposium and Expo and various networking events in February. Basic costs such as airfare, local accommodation and meals, shipping and symposium registration fees will be covered.
In addition, support will be provided for the temporary importation of equipment and flying permits.
Contact LKC
LKC Competitions Team:
Denise Soesilo, Industry Relations Lead
denise@africandroneforum.org
Jonty Slater, Competitions Manager
Challenge@africandroneforum.org