The Challenge!

FPV drone racing is great, but we’re taking things up a level. MAAXX an indoor drone air race, simple as that. But there is a catch: the drone piloting can be done from a ground-station, but it must be fully automatic. This is not about human piloting skills; it is about building machines and systems that can operate without human intervention.

Wheels up – hands off

Everyone Welcome!

We have secured the prestigious Exhibition and Conference Centre at UWE, Bristol for MAAXX Europe.

23 March (Friday) – Industry Day – 9am to 5pm – register for the latest research and innovation from academia and leading technology companies. Booking fee £5 plus VAT

24 March (Saturday) – Families & Race Day – doors open from 9am to 5pm with the main Cup Races, Aerospace Bristol celebration including RAF @ 100yrs, innovation exhibition, demonstration flying, DroneJam results, Prize Giving and more! Free to attend.

Parking is included in the entry fee. You can just turn up on the Saturday.

11:00	Business Engagement with UWE	Tracey John, UWE Research Business and Innovation, University of the West of England
12:00	The Technology of MAAXX Drones	Dr Steve Wright, Engineering, Design and Mathematics, University of the West of England
13:00	Why Race Flying Robots Through Bristol?	Dr Gordon Hart
14:00	The challenges of operating Unmanned Systems	Edward Raggett, Leonardo Helicopters

Pre-Register for quicker access!

Please access the site via the University of the West of England, North Entrance. Food and drinks will be available on site but are not included in the booking fee.

Main Arenas

We have two race Arena this year!

Each one is 36 x 15 x 3 metres (50% bigger than our total race arena last year). The race lane centre-line follows a loop 2 metres inside the perimeter. Competitors also have a dedicated Pit Lane area for tinkering with their drones and undergoing running repairs. All activity is controlled from a central Flight Control booth.

DroneJam

New to 2018 is DroneJam! We’re really excited to be working with Huawei to provide people with the opportunity to build and fly their own autonomous drone in a 36hr DroneJam!. We’ll be providing everything you need, from a drone, AI mobile phone for control, and experts to help with sample code and development advice.

Entry for DroneJam is just £24 (inc VAT)!

Book now to confirm your place!

Exhibition & Displays

We’re working with Aerospace Bristol as part of their RAF 100 celebration to put on a fantastic display of aerial innovation over the years. We’ll also be featuring some of the best companies and academic research in the field. If you’re an aspiring drone / software engineer (or you’re looking for one) this is the place to be!

Exhibition & Conference Centre, UWE, Bristol

Map to venue

Be a part of MAAXX Europe!

Download the poster for your workplace or club!

Email <sponsor@maaxx-europe.com> for sponsorship packages! Download the current prospectus here.

Join the discussion on our forums to help shape MAAXX Europe!

Diamond Partners

Sponsors

Join the discussion on the forums to make your suggestions for 2018!

Join in!

Details

The course

The course is a long oval; the straights are 40 metres long and 6 metres apart.
The track is 2 metres wide.
There are put-in and exit lanes to allow the drones to enter and exit the race at any time.
The flying zones are fully netted off.
Course marking: red line, green line, wall-mounted triangles at ends.

The competition

Speed prize for the fastest 10 consecutive laps of the course. If no-one makes 10 consecutive laps, the prize goes to the fastest 5 consecutive laps.
Endurance prize for greatest total number of laps achieved during the entire competition.
Kudos prize for the most impressive tech or trick, as voted by the other competitors (software-controlled overtake anyone?)

The rules

Maximum vehicle take-off weight of 3 kg.
Maximum vehicle size of 1 metre in any dimension.
No combustion-engine powered vehicles are permitted. Sorry.
No human intervention is permitted once the competitor is on the course. Control from any ground-station equipment via wireless link is permitted.
Any wireless communications methods are permitted (e.g. Wifi, Bluetooth, XBee, 2.4GHz). However, we do expect all the competitors to co-operate with the judges to ensure EM compatibility between everybody.
Unlimited attempts are permitted, at any time during the competition. Competitors may fly whenever a flying slot becomes available. A slot is defined as no less than 2 meters from the nearest competitor on entering the course.
There is no limit on the vehicle configuration: fixed-wing, rotary, or hybrids are all permitted.
Deliberate or excessive bumping and ramming is discouraged. What is deliberate or excessive? You will know it, the judges will know it, and then they will red-flag you.

The basic rule is “please, don’t be an idiot”.

PLEASE NOTE: the course and rules are provisional. We welcome your input on changes and additions that will make the racing faster, longer, and just better.

You need a yellow stripe along the floor to get a visual lock? No problemo.

You need a Wi-fi hub at the centre of the course to triangulate? You’ve got it.