AERIAL DRONE COMPETITION PRO • RECF
1 INTRODUCTION
OVERVIEW
The Robotics Education & Competition Foundation’s (RECF) Aerial Drone Competition Pro (ADC Pro) offers a unique hands-on learning experience that fosters essential STEM skills, including design, piloting, programming, and problem-solving, all within the context of unmanned aerial vehicles (“Drones”) and unmanned ground vehicles (“Robots”). The competition environment mirrors real-world scenarios, demanding teamwork, critical thinking, and innovation to overcome mission challenges. Students learn to collaborate effectively, hone their communication skills, and build the resilience needed to tackle future obstacles. Along the way, they gain a deep understanding of flight principles, engineering design, computer science, documentation, and interpersonal skills, while igniting a passion for drone-related careers.
Mission 2026-2027: “Off Grid” Drones and robots aren’t just for sci-fi movies. They’re transforming how we power the world from the inside out. Inside power plants and other energy facilities, drones can fly through tight spaces like boiler rooms, turbine halls, and ventilation shafts to inspect equipment up close. Using downdraft and other integrated actuation systems, drones can interact with their surroundings to perform tasks such as moving objects, clearing debris, or triggering switches. This helps maintain critical systems in hard- to-reach or hazardous areas without direct human contact. Ground robots can safely navigate through areas with high heat or radiation to collect data or perform small tasks. This kind of technology keeps workers out of harm’s way and helps keep the power flowing smoothly and safely. In this competition, you’ll step into the role of a high-tech first responder, using drones and robots to simulate a hacking response mission at a nuclear power plant. Just like real-world technicians, you’ll use aerial drones and ground robots to restore communications and safely move hazardous material. This hands-on experience mirrors the way professionals in the energy industry use unmanned systems to respond to emergencies, perform maintenance, and keep critical infrastructure running. By completing these competition tasks, you’ll get a glimpse of how cutting-edge technology is used in real careers. You might even discover a future in cybersecurity, robotics, or the power industry waiting for you.
4 | MISSION 2026-2027 OFF GRID COMPETITION MANUAL V 1.1
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