MAChallenge FAQs

How many people can be in a team for the MAChallenge?

Each team will consist of five people, with four team members being full time undergraduate students registered at a recognised UK university.

What is required for the Video Submission?

To be considered for selection to compete in the finals you will need to submit a three-minute video pitch, addressing the items below:

• Introduce yourself and your team.
• Outline your experience in this field.
• Describe relevant projects that you have worked on.
• Competition strategy
• Views on what the key issues are likely to be
• Explain what you would spend the prize money on.
• The video will be judged on the content not the quality of presentation, therefore please do not spend time on finessing the production!

Full video submission guidelines can be seen here.

Is any equipment provided?

Each team will be provided with the following if they are selected for Stage 2:

• Autopilot ‘Spectre e-boat-T’ with GPS
• Sensor payload (camera and proximity sensor)
• Micro-PC onto which the team’s software can be loaded
• Communications links
• Licensed ‘Ship Simulator’ package to enable development of s/w functionality

Each team participating in Stage 3 (on -water final) will be provided with a USV comprising the following:

• Catamaran GRP hull (ca. 2m long)
• Propulsion system built into the USV. This will consist of two Blue Robotics T200 thrusters and associated electronic speed controller (ESC) providing differential steering.
• Battery for propulsion, control system, sensors etc.
• A fitted sensor and control payload that will exactly mirror that previously provided to the teams.

Please note that NO modifications or additions to the provided hardware will be permitted.

This takes place after current final year University students have graduated and will no longer be registered at a University, are these graduates permitted as part of a team?

Students are eligible if they were registered at a UK University as a full-time student in the academic year 2021/2022 and at the time of registration for the competition and video submission.