World Robot Summit 2025
Harsh Environment F-REI Challenge
Q & A
Competition Details
Harsh Environment Drone Challenge
(HEDC)
Regarding Application Form Entries
- Q.Is it permitted to change team members after submitting the Entry Form?
- A.You are permitted to change team members after submitting the entry form. It is because during the process of obtaining flight approval from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB), some adjustments might be needed following the instructions from the bureau. However, please note that after JCAB approval is granted, changes will not be permitted unless there are extraordinary circumstances.
Note: While registering more than 10 for getting flight approval from JCAB is permitted, the number of team members permitted for the competition is limited to 10.
- Q.Is it necessary to register Unmanned Aircraft (UA) with JCAB in advance?
- A.As specified in the application guidelines, it is preferable to register UA with JCAB in advance and obtain an aircraft registration number.
Regarding Communication Channels
- Q.We plan to secure radio wave communication through our own strategy, but intend to install LTE communication equipment onboard as a backup communication method for safety purposes. If we clearly indicate to judges at all times which communication channel is being used, will we avoid penalty?
- A.Clearly indicating the radio wave communication channel can avoid penalty. Just installing LTE equipment will not result in any penalty.
Regarding Competition Evaluation Methodology
- Q.Is there any plan to unveil the detailed evaluation criteria and scoring information?
- A.As stated in the application guidelines, the HEDC Competition Committee emphasizes proposals of new technologies and solutions aimed at achieving mission scenarios; therefore, there are no plans to release detailed evaluation documents.
Note: Specific evaluation criteria and scoring distribution have been predetermined by the Evaluation Committee, and assessments will follow these criteria.
- Q.Is it correct that strategies to complete the missions are up to teams, and evaluations will be based on the strategies and achivement?
- A.Evaluations will comprehensively consider both the strategies and actual performance. Scores will be decided through deliberation among multiple judge committee members.
Note: The HEDC Judge Committee is organized independently from the HEDC steering Committee. On the day of the competition, judge committee members will individually conduct evaluations.
Regarding emergency location reporting system
- Q.Regarding the safety measures confirmation on Sheet 2 of the participation application form, there requires an 'image showing the installation of an emergency location reporting system (e.g., Trackimo, SPOT, etc.)'. Our team is using a Ublox M9N GPS module connected to a Pixhawk flight controller to receive GNSS signals. Does this requirement mean that a standalone GPS module such as Trackimo or SPOT, separate from the aforementioned system, is required?
- A.A standalone reporting system is required.
Regarding Parachutes
- Q.What should be done if it is technically impossible to install additional parachutes because of the limitation of payload specification of UAV?
- A.It is recommended to install parachutes for dispersing impact during a fall, however it is not mandatory.
Note: Safety is heavily emphasized. Therefore, teams must take safety measures based on the conditions of aircraft weight and flight speed.
Regarding the Automatic inflating buoys (floating system)
- Q.Our UAV is designed with sufficient buoyancy to remain afloat even if it falls onto the water surface. In this case, would it still be necessary to equip additional buoys (floating system)?
- A.If the UAV can float on the water by itself, you do not need to equip with additional floats.
Note: If it can remain afloat on the warter, any mechanism can be acceptable. Please write down the mechanism in the proposal form.
- Q.What should be done if it is technically impossible to install floating system because of the limitation of payload specification of UAV?
- A.The requirement to install floating system applies specifically to aircraft that clearly risk submersion. Aircraft that already incorporate inherent submersion countermeasures are exempt from this requirement.
Regarding the time limit
- Q.In the Pre-Challenge held in 2024, the time limit was set to two hours. Will it be reduced to one hour for this Competition in 2025?
- A.The time limit will be set to one hour.
Note: This is to enable larger number of teams to participate in this Competition.