CALL FOR CHALLENGE COMPETITORS

The Aegean Ro-Boat Race is an innovative international competition that challenges university teams to design and develop an Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) capable of operating in real-world coastal conditions. Held in Syros, Greece, the race serves not only as a competition but as a platform for fostering collaboration between academic institutions and the maritime industry.

This year, the Aegean Ro-Boat Race will be held as part of the IEEE Symposium on Maritime Informatics and Robotics, further highlighting its role as a key event in promoting maritime innovation and autonomous technologies. The winners of the challenge will be announced during the symposium. The integration of this race within the symposium is expected to foster even greater collaboration between academia, industry, and research institutions. It offers an exciting opportunity for participants to showcase their autonomous systems in a competitive, real-world environment while benefiting from the broader discussions and developments within the maritime informatics and robotics fields.

In this event, teams will harness the latest advancements in maritime informatics—including data analytics, sensor integration, and real-time navigation—alongside cutting-edge robotic technologies. Competitors will navigate complex routes, avoid obstacles, and showcase exceptional control and efficiency in a true test of engineering skill and precision. More than just a race, this event underscores the vital importance of sustainable maritime practices, offering a platform to highlight how technology can drive both progress and environmental stewardship. As teams push the boundaries of what’s possible, they also champion the future of our oceans.

THE THREE RACES

Obstacle Avoidance in a known environment (follow the course)
➔ Description: The USV must navigate through a course filled with obstacles such as
buoys, floating barriers, and narrow passages.
➔ Objective: Successfully maneuver through the course without hitting any obstacles
and complete it in the shortest time.

Waypoint Navigation
➔ Description: USV must navigate to a series of designated waypoints in the correct order.
➔ Objective: Successfully reach all waypoints in sequence and complete the course in the shortest time.

Obstacle Avoidance in a Dynamic (unknown) Environment
➔ Description: The USV will travel in an environment with several obstacles that move
or appear suddenly.
➔ Objective: Avoid all obstacles while maintaining the fastest possible speed while
moving from a starting point to a goal point.

AEGEAN RO-BOAT RACE RULES

1. General Rules

1.1 Eligibility:
• Open to teams from universities, research institutes, and other educational entities,with an emphasis on fostering collaborations with private industry.
• Each team must register their boat and team members before the competition.

1.2 USV Specifications:
• Dimensions: USV must not exceed specified dimensions (2.5 meters length) as defined by the organizing committee.
• Propulsion: Any form of propulsion is allowed (e.g., electric, solar, wind), provided it is environmentally friendly and complies with safety regulations.
• Autonomy: USV should be completely autonomous during the race (not remote control)
• Identification: Each boat must have a visible identification number and team name.

2. Safety Regulations

2.1 Safety Checks:
• USVs must pass a safety inspection before the race. This includes checks on
buoyancy, propulsion systems, and emergency shut-off mechanisms.
• All team members and support crew must wear life jackets when on the water.

3. Race Format

3.1 Course Layout:
• The race will take place on the island of Syros, at the facilities of the SmartMove lab (Home – Smart Move), the race route will be equipped with clearly marked buoys and waypoints.
• The course will include various challenges such as obstacle avoidance and waypoint navigation.

3.2 Start and Finish:
• The race will start and finish at predefined points.

3.3 Time Trials:
• The race will be timed, and the team with the shortest overall time will be declared the winner.
• Penalties for missed waypoints or rule violations will be added to the overall time.

4. Competition Rules

4.1 Autonomy and Control:
• USVs must be capable of navigating and completing the course without human intervention.

4.2 Environmental Protection:
• USVs must operate in an environmentally friendly manner.
• Any USV that causes pollution or harm to marine life will be disqualified.

5. Judging and Scoring

5.1 Scoring Criteria:
Points will be awarded based on the following criteria:

• Time to Complete Course: Shortest time to complete the course.
• Navigation Accuracy: Precision in following the designated route and passing through waypoints.
• Innovation and Design: Creativity and innovation in boat design and technology.

5.2 Penalties:
• Penalties will be assessed for rule violations, including missed waypoints, interference, and environmental infractions.
• Penalties will be added to the overall time.

5.3 Judges:
• A panel of judges will oversee the race, evaluate performance, and enforce rules.
• The judges’ decisions are final.

Participation

Participation in the Aegean Ro-Boat Race consists of three key steps:
• (1) Registration: Teams must register by completing the sign-up process on the official event platform, providing necessary team and boat information.
• (2) Presentation of Boat and Team: Participants will present their autonomous boats and teams during the IEEE Symposium on Maritime Informatics and Robotics, sharing their design approaches and innovations.
• (3) Compete in the Race and Award Ceremony: Teams will compete in the race, testing their boats’ performance in various categories, followed by an award ceremony recognizing outstanding achievements in speed, endurance, and autonomous capabilities.
This structured format encourages innovation, collaboration, and real-world testing of maritime autonomous systems.

Important Dates
• Registration and submission of necessary information: April 1st, 2025
• Presentation at the Symposium: June 26th, 2025
• Race Event: June 27th, 2025

NOTE: Teams accepted to compete in the race are leveraged from the symposium registration fee (for 2 team members).

Challenge Co-Chairs
Thomas Kogias (tkogias@aegean.gr)
Alexandros Troupiotis -Kapeliaris (alextroupi@aegean.gr)
Elias Xidias (xidias@aegean.gr)