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The Microtransat Challenge is a transatlantic race for small scale vessels, aiming to stimulate the development of autonomous and unmanned surface vessels through friendly competition. Running for over a decade, there is a rich and varied history of teams that have taken part.
The rules are simple:
The challenge was conceived in 2005 and to this day with over 30 attempts made, only one team (Sailbuoy) has completed the challenge with a vessel in the Unmanned Division, with other participants such as OpenTransat getting very close. We aim to be the first team to ever complete the challenge in the Autonomous Division!
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The journey can be completed in either direction, however each one poses its own challenges. The Atlantic Ocean’s currents work largely in a clockwise fashion and are used by sailors to cross the Ocean more efficiently.
Though the West to East crossing by way of the Gulf Stream may be shorter, this route is notorious for experiencing some of the strongest hurricanes in the world. This means the vessel will not only have to withstand powerful winds and waves, but actively navigate through them for roughly one month.
Alternatively, the journey could start in the East and use the Canary and North Equatorial currents to cross the Atlantic Ocean. The journey usually experiences less extreme weather than the North Atlantic passage, however it can take significantly longer. This means the vessel will possibly need to withstand the extreme conditions of the Atlantic Ocean for over three months.
Both of these routes pose significant challenges to our vessel. Whether it’s the intense storms of the North Atlantic or the corrosive effects of sea water, our vessel will need to adapt and endure. Given the duration of this journey, any flaw in our engineering will result in certain failure.
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The vast and unpredictable nature of the Atlantic Ocean is traitorous for any vessel, especially an autonomous one. Throughout the 3000+ mile journey, the vessel will need to withstand some of the most extreme weather conditions for months on end. Surviving these intense conditions will require highly precise and robust engineering, as well as a navigation system capable of adapting to the unknown.
Without human intervention, the vessel will need to make decisions, change its course and adapt to sudden changes. An autonomous crossing of the Atlantic Ocean is a true test of endurance, engineering rigour and artificial intelligence.
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This reflects our ambition to do something never done before. Much like explorers navigating the unknown waters, we as a team are facing the unknown head on, venturing into new engineering territory. Our team has faced uncharted challenges before and we are excited to embrace them again on a new scale.
To top our success in the rocketry team, the team wanted to do something that has never been done before. The team found the perfect challenge with the Microtransat Challenge, which combines our growing interests in robotics, artificial intelligence and marine engineering with our desire to develop a project with real world applications. Based on our experience, motivation and drive, we want to be the first to complete this incredible feat of teamwork and engineering.
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If you share our excitement for this project and would like to find out more, you can contact our Team Lead, Shirom Selvaraj, via email by clicking here.
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