AeroTHON2023

Indian government is on the mission to turn the country into a Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) / Drone hub by 2030 under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan by accelerating the pace of development of India’s Uncrewed Aircraft / Drone industry. India’s UAS market could grow to INR 500 billion (US$6.8 billion) in the next five years.

Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) are used across many industries like defense, construction, infrastructure, mining, telecom, geospatial mapping, agriculture/farming, media & entertainment, law enforcement, oil and gas for surveillance, security, safety, disaster management, land survey, progress and condition monitoring through aerial photography and thermal imaging. More widespread consumer market applications will soon become realistic, keeping pace with progress in tech innovation and reduced costs. Some of these include drone-facilitated last mile delivery for the retail, healthcare and logistics sectors.

SAEINDIA Aerospace Forum is organizing AeroTHON 2023 competition for students with primary focus on developing design, build and piloting skills of Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) to prepare them industry ready for the emerging market. As part of AeroTHON 2023, students undertake a full design and build cycle of an Uncrewed aerial vehicle meeting specific mission requirements, culminating in a final fly-off event.

Objectives:

To inculcate an innovation mindset among the student community in emerging technologies like Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV)
To Incubate and nurture skills and capabilities of aero design in young minds and prepare them for Atmanirbhar Bharat in critical aerospace technologies.
To provide a platform for Aero-passionate students to demonstrate UAV design expertise
To help develop the next generation of entrepreneurs

Contest Structure:

Phase 1: Design and Technical Presentation

Innovative designs presentation from the participant teams
Innovative designs evaluation by industry and academic experts
Top 20 teams shortlisted for Phase 2

Phase 2: Flight Test with a final presentation highlighting readiness to Fly and Awards

Building the prototype of the UAV
Technical presentation on the prototype and readiness to Fly the UAV
Flight Test
Awarding prizes to 7 teams

Registration Guidelines:

Registration Fee: Rs. 15,000 + 18% GST per team
Teams can be formed with a minimum of 5 students and a maximum of 10 students of multiple disciplines with one faculty advisor.
It is mandatory for participating students to become student members of SAEINDIA. It is encouraged to take up the membership under +1 scheme as membership status continues for one more year after the completion of graduation.
Though not mandatory, Faculty are encouraged to become a Faculty Member of SAEINDIA and avail the benefits available for the faculty member of SAEINDIA.
Visit: https://www.saeindia.org/become-a-member/ to sign up for SAEINDIA membership.

Key Event	Date
Registration open	20 Feb 2023
Registration close	25 Mar 2023
Phase 1: Design Report submission by students	11 Jun 2023
Phase 1: Presentation Submission	22 Jun 2023
Phase 1: Students present designs to Judges (Industry and Academic experts)	24 Jun 2023
Phase 1: Judges review reports & finalize scores	26 Jun 2023 – 29 Jun 2023
Phase - 1: Winner Announcement	30 Jun 2023
Phase 2: Physical prototype build	01 Jul 2023 – 17 Nov 2023
Phase 2: Physical prototype inspection & Flying	17 Nov 2023
Phase 2: Flying	18 Nov 2023
Awards Ceremony	18 Nov 2023

The AeroTHON organizing committee and SAEINDIA shall not be held responsible for non-fulfilment of their obligations due to the exigency of one or more of the force majeure events such as but not limited to the acts of God, war, flood, earthquake, strikes, lockouts, pandemics, epidemics, riots, civil commotion, scarcity, of water, electricity or such other basic facilities etc and shall inform the participating teams on the occurrence and cessation of the event within one week of such decision being made If the force majeure conditions continue beyond a reasonable period where running the event is not feasible either due to the force majeure conditions or any other reasons, the event may be cancelled for the year.

(a) Earthquake, flood, inundation and landslide, storm, tempest, hurricane, cyclone, lightning, thunder, pandemics, epidemics or other extreme atmospheric disturbances or any other act of God

(b) Strikes, labour disruptions or any other industrial disturbances not arising on account of the acts or omissions of the organisers, war, hostilities (whether declared or not), invasion, act of foreign enemy, terrorism, rebellion, riots, weapon conflict or military actions, civil war, ionising radiation, contamination by radioactivity from nuclear fuel, any nuclear waste, radioactive toxic explosion, volcanic eruptions or other such occurrences beyond the control of the organisers

(c) Acts of expropriation, compulsory acquisition or takeover by any government agency of the said venue where the event is to be held or any part thereof

(d) Any prohibitory order of any Court.

Prize Category	Prize Amount
1st Prize	Rs. 1,50,000
2nd Prize	Rs. 1,00,000
3rd Prize	Rs. 75,000
4 Special Awards each of Rs. 25,000

AeroTHON2023

Key Event Timeline

Organizing Committee

Technical Committee

Industry & Academia interface committee

Finance Committee

Event Management Committee

Marketing & Communication Committee

Enquiry form

Glimpse of AeroTHON 2023

Glimpse of AeroTHON 2022