A2RL Soars to New Heights: Launches Autonomous Drone Racing Championship Worth US $1Mn Prize Pool

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 25, 2024--

The Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL), which made its impressive debut this April at the Yas Marina Circuit, has announced the next phase of its challenge with the Drone Champions League (DCL), the world's premier professional drone racing organization. Building on the success of its inaugural event, the A2RL Drone Race continues to advance the frontiers of autonomous technology, merging human skill with innovative advancements in autonomous flight.

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The Autonomous Drone Race will bring together teams from across the globe, welcoming established drone racing teams, research institutions and enthusiastic 'rookies.' All competitors will vie for a thrilling prize purse of US$1million, as they strive to achieve maximum agility and speed while successfully maneuvering through objects in the way. Registration is now open at a2rl.io, and interested teams are invited to apply for the competition. All entries will undergo a rigorous selection process to identify the successful competing teams. Those who pass the screening will be invited to participate in a series of tasks that will allow the judging panel to assess the teams' proficiency in using an open-source simulator to fly a drone autonomously. The grand finale will be held in April 2025, where the winner will be determined.

Organized by ASPIRE, A2RL integrates artificial intelligence (AI), autonomy and extreme sports to push the boundaries of future mobility and is spotlighted as the largest autonomous racing league in the world. The A2RL extreme autonomous drone race will see competing researchers program drones to navigate through a sequence of gates, avoiding obstacles, using onboard sensors and computational power. The main goal of the race is to set a benchmark for achieving maximum innovation in algorithms while using minimal sensor technology in complex environments.

As with all grand challenges, the A2RL Drone Challenge will also include a STEM focus and high-school students will be welcome to be a part of the competition.

Announcing the new competition, H.E. Faisal Al Bannai, Secretary General of ATRC, said: “It's only when you experiment in extreme conditions that you really discover new boundaries or breakthroughs in science. We’re inspiring global collaboration, driving technological progress, and creating a future where autonomous solutions transform industries and improve lives.”

Stephane Timpano, CEO at ASPIRE, said: “This is an exciting evolution of our A2RL extreme racing series. DCL is a like-minded partner with years of invaluable drone racing experience. Together, we are not only adding a new autonomous dimension to drone racing but are also demonstrating the limitless possibilities of unmanned aerial vehicles through this competition.”

Markus Stampfer, Executive Chair of Drone Champions AG, the organizer of the Drone Champions League (DCL), said: “At DCL, our mission has always been to push the boundaries of drone racing. Having successfully merged the worlds of virtual and physical drone racing, partnering with ASPIRE to advance autonomous drone flying is a natural next step for us. We are thrilled to bring our extensive experience and expertise to this pioneering competition, supporting ASPIRE with the knowledge we've gained from years of developing race drones and working with the world's best drone pilots.”

By advancing drone technology, this race aims to make drone usage accessible for all countries, ultimately reducing costs and driving innovation across industries such as health and logistics.

For media enquiries please contact: comms@a2rl.io or ATRC@edelman.com

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A2RL Soars to New Heights: Launches Autonomous Drone Racing Championship Worth US $1Mn Prize Pool (Photo: AETOSWire)

The Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) x Drone Champions League (DCL) (Graphic: AETOSWire)

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela's government has revoked permission for Brazil to serve as custodian of Argentina's diplomatic missions in the country, alleging several anti-government opponents holed up for months in the Argentine ambassador's residence had been plotting terrorist acts from the compound.

In a statement Saturday, Venezuela's foreign ministry said it had notified Brazil of its decision, which will take effect immediately. It said it was forced to take action based on what it called evidence — which it hasn't shared — that those who sought refuge in Argentina's diplomatic mission were plotting.

Magalli Meda, the former campaign chief of opposition leader María Corina Machado, was among a half dozen government opponents who fled to the Argentina ambassador’s residence after Maduro’s chief prosecutor in March issued an order for her arrest for allegedly propagating destabilizing, political violence.

In retaliation, Maduro broke off diplomatic relations with Argentine President Javier Milei’s right-wing government, which tapped neighbor Brazil to represent its interests and safeguard the asylum seekers.

There was no immediate response from Argentina or Brazil.

Since Friday, armored vehicles from the SEBIN political police have been parked outside the Argentina ambassador’s residence in a leafy Caracas neighborhood. Electricity to the diplomatic mission was also cut, according to Meda, who has taken to social media to denounce what she fears is an impending raid to arrest her and the other government opponents.

Police guard Argentina's embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)