Marine Autonomy Challenge (MAChallenge)
Congratulations to the MAChallenge 2021 winners - UCL!
Look out for an announcement about the 2023 challenge - coming soon!
MAChallenge
This exciting annual challenge is open to teams of students studying at UK universities. Each qualifying team is provided with an industry simulator to enable them to build the autonomous behaviours required to achieve a series of challenges. These will be carried out using a 2m catamaran that has been specially designed, built and equipped for MAChallenge – a cash prize of £2000 awaits the winning team. Our aim is to bring on the next generation of marine technologists and to encourage development and take-up of marine autonomous systems technologies in the UK.
Developing the UK’s Future Maritime Autonomy Technologists
Why are we launching MAChallenge?
A key mission of the MASG Council is to encourage young technologists and help develop careers that contribute to the future of the UK’s MAS industry.
The aim of the challenge is:
- Focussed on autonomy (not platforms)
- To get students thinking about how autonomy might address the problem of plastics in the ocean
- To stretch the knowledge of the students and promote creative thinking
- Encourage team working through a variety of individual skills
- Connect the brightest young talent coming through the UK’s universities with the UK’s MAS Industry.
If you have any questions please email MAChallenge(at)maritimeindustries.org or visit our FAQs Page.
Competition Details
During the competition students will be required to develop the autonomous behaviours required to enable a powered surface vessel (catamaran) to undertake a series of challenges –challenges involving:
Remote Navigation
- Remote Collision avoidance
- Remote Mapping
The catch is that the teams will not have physical access to the vessel.
The MAChallenge consists of two phases:
- Phase I – Video Submission
- Phase II – Remote on-water competition
Phase I – Video Submission
- Each team will need to make a 3 min video submission
- Full details are at: https://www.maritimeindustries.org/Video-Submission-Guidelines
- The video needs to include:
- Introduction to team
- Individual skills
- Relevant experience/projects
- Competition strategy
- Views on what the key issues are likely to be
- What the team would do with the prize
- Introduction to team
Phase II – Remote on-water competition
- Each team will then have around 6 months to develop and test their software
- There will be an online event 15 September when the teams will outline their progress to a panel of industry participants
- Culmination will be a remote on-water competition at Timsbury Lake Ship handling Centre, Hampshire
Phase II – The Challenges
Challenge 1
- Navigate around a track using a series of waypoints
Challenge 2
- Take action as per Collision Regulations
- Virtual Radar/ARPA input for tracking of other vessels
Challenge 3
- Approach a berth and stop the vessel within 1m
Challenge 4
- Locate and map an area of micro-plastics or pollution
- Input from a virtual ‘sensor’
Challenge 5
- Search a specified box area and position all floating targets within it
Please note all marking will be weighted towards fully autonomous solutions versus remote operation
What equipment will be provided to finalists?
- An industry-standard simulation suite to develop and test their software
- Remote access to a common platform comprising:
- Catamaran GRP hull (ca. 2m long)
- Propulsion system providing differential steering:
- 2 x Blue Robotics T200 thrusters
- Electronic speed controller (ESC)
- Battery
- Autopilot with GPS
- Sensor payload with camera
- Micro-PC on to which the team’s software will be loaded
- Comms
- Each team will also be proved with an ‘expert’ industry mentor and don’t forget there is a prize of £2,000 waiting for the winning team!
If you have any questions please email MAChallenge(at)maritimeindustries.org
With thanks to the companies that sponsored the 2021 challenge:
Gold Sponsorship
Silver Sponsorship
Bronze Sponsorship
News
Sir Ben Ainslie CBE - After Dinner Speaker at SMI Annual Dinner
This year, we are very pleased to welcome Sir Ben Ainslie CBE as our after dinner speaker.
Become a member
We promote the interests of UK based companies in the international market place and to governments
Join US See the BenefitsNewsletter Signup
Keep up to date with all the latest news and events with our regular newsletter delivered straight to your email box.
Sign Up NowMoD Market Awareness Event - Provision of Online Standards, Databases & Publications
The MoD is inviting all interested suppliers to attend a Market Awareness event which is scheduled for Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th May 2022, using MS TEAMS.UK Ports Conference 2022
The UK Ports Conference will provide you with a complete update on the UK ports sector. Identify opportunities for port growth and development and deliver solutions to overcome the primary challenges...Export Control and Dual-use Items Seminar
SMI's Marine Science and Technology Group Council invite you to a seminar on Export control and Dual-Use items in the maritime sector.Posidonia - The International Shipping Exhibition
Posidonia brings the whole shipping world to its exhibitors. The international shipping community attends in strength with national pavilions and thousands of visitors. But Posidonia is also home to...Seawork 2022
SMI is partnering once again with Seawork, Europe’s largest commercial marine and workboat exhibition, to host the SMI Shipyard Pavilion. The annual exhibition brings together over 7,600...SMM - Leading International Maritime Trade Fair
When it comes to meeting up with all the leading protagonists of the global maritime industry, there’s no place like SMM, one of the leading international maritime trade fairs. It’s here...Smart Sound Plymouth Seminar
Gain an insight into what exciting projects the Smart Sound Plymouth are working on and get an update on their Wolfson Foundation funding. This Seminar will be followed by a networking lunch with the...Digital Twins in the Marine Science and Technology Sector
Gain an insight into Digital Twins, their benefits and more specifically uses within marine science and technology. This Seminar will be followed by a networking lunch with the Marine Science and...EURONAVAL 2022
EURONAVAL 2022, the biennial International Naval Defence & Maritime Exhibition and Conference, will take place from 18 to 21 October 2022 at the Le Bourget Exhibition and Conference centre in...Annual Dinner 2022
The Society of Maritime Industries Annual Dinner will be held on Thursday 24th November 2022 at Drapers' Hall, Throgmorton Avenue, EC2N 2DQ.Oceanology International Americas 2023
The Oceanology International Americas event offers a leading forum where industry, academia and government share knowledge and connect with the North, Central and South American marine science and...Indonesia Maritime Expo (IME)
Indonesia Maritime Expo (IME) is the most anticipated international event in Indonesia for the world’s maritime players, showcasing the latest in marine, workboat & offshore engineering and...
Member Zone
If your company is a member of the Society of Maritime Industries a number of resources are available for which a log-in is required.
LoginResources
Access a wide range of documents, consultations and newsletters which we feel will aid your business activities.
Become a member
We promote the interests of UK based companies in the international market place and to governments
Join Us See the BenefitsNewsletter Signup
Keep up to date with all the latest news and events with our regular newsletter delivered straight to your email box.
Sign Up NowMarine Autonomy Challenge (MAChallenge)
This exciting challenge is open to teams of students studying at UK universities. The first phase involves a video submission and the finals take place in November this year. Each qualifying team will be provided with an industry simulator to enable them to build the autonomous behaviours required to achieve a series of challenges.
Enter Now