RWTH Aachen Hosts IMAV 2023: International Micro Air Vehicle Competition Takes Flight
“Unmanned micro aircraft systems” says the expert, “drones” says the layman. Twelve student teams from nine countries demonstrated what these flight systems are capable of over five days in Aachen. RWTH hosted IMAV 2023, the “International Micro Air Vehicle Conference”.
When experts from all over the world meet, it is of course also about exchanging ideas with one another. Expert knowledge was discussed, the latest developments were highlighted and options were discussed. But academics aren’t everything, explains Professor Dieter Moormann, head of the chair and institute for flight system dynamics at RWTH: “We think it’s extremely important that what they’ve learned is transferred into practice, that the students discuss problem solutions with each other – that’s how they do it We are the engineers of the future.”
What this can look like was shown, among other things, on the extensive grounds of the “Aldenhoven Testing Center”. Here, the student teams had to use their drones to track down missing people – ideally fully automatically and within a certain time limit. Other factors that went into the evaluation were energy efficiency and the most coordinated use of the drones. “Of course it always gets exciting when things don’t work and the teams then help each other,” says Professor Moormann. Finding the right answer to a wide variety of problems is a core competence of future engineers. Moormann continued: “Such competitions are an excellent opportunity to show the potential of young talent and promote innovation in the aviation industry.
The conference part of the IMAV then discussed, among other things, the lessons from the practical part, the use of artificial intelligence, novel and, if possible, sustainable drive and automation concepts. The Institute of Flight System Dynamics at RWTH hosted the IMAV for the second time, which brings together experts and students every year. In addition to the professional exchange, it is also about “valuable cross-border contacts,” says Professor Dieter Moormann, who was extremely satisfied with the results after the five days.