Program

VRX Competition 2023

VRX Competition 2023

Robotics teams from around the world operate their autonomous surface vehicle (ASV) in a Gazebo-based simulation environment built by Open Robotics and the Naval Postgraduate School. Using the Virtual RobotX (VRX) environment, students develop innovative solutions for an ASV that can beat the challenge tasks in the simulated environment.

The VRX Competition is designed as an affordable entry point for teams interested in building skills in maritime autonomy, learning more about simulation environments as a tool, considering competing in RobotX or all of the above.

The environment uses RoboNation’s advanced robotics program RobotX as inspiration, however the VRX Competition is independent from the physical Maritime RobotX Challenge – that means you don’t have to compete in the physical RobotX Challenge in order to compete in VRX! 

RoboNation and the Office of Naval Research (ONR) have partnered with the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) and Open Robotics (OR) to bring you Virtual RobotX (VRX).  VRX is an open-source simulation environment designed as a free tool for students to test autonomous maritime robotics solutions.

Details

  • GitHub Repository
  • Competition Dates
    • Workshop & Kickoff: April 28
    • Registration: June 5-October 3
    • Phase 1: September 5
    • Phase 2: October 3
    • Finals: November 1
  • Competition Eligibility
    • High School, College
  • Registration

    Registration is now closed.

Competition Resources

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2023 Task Descriptions

Last Updated: V1.2, July 26

 

This document describes the individual tasks that make up theVirtual RobotX (VRX) 2023 Competition. Each task description includes a name and objective as well as implementation and scoring details.

 

In addition to the task descriptions, the VRX project Wiki has VRX 2023 Task Tutorials with working demonstrations for each of the tasks. Teams are encouraged to run these demonstrations to understand how the tasks will be implemented and scored. Participants should also review the general task interface and structure as described in the VRX Technical Guide.

 

Past Versions

V1.0 – click to download

V1.1 – click to download

V1.2 – click to download

Download PDF
Color / Primary Orange Copy Created with Sketch.
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2023 Technical Guide

Last Updated: V1.2, July 26

 

The purpose of this document is to provide Virtual RobotX (VRX) teams with the information necessary to successfully prepare for and participate in the VRX competition. It covers the following topics: the competition goals and approach, the robotic platform, propulsion and sensor configuration, generic information about how tasks work, runs and environmental envelopes, the application programming interface (API), and instructions for submitting your code for the competition.

 

Past Versions

V1.0 – click to download

V1.1 – click to download

V1.2 – click to download

Download PDF
Color / Primary Orange Copy Created with Sketch.
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VRX 2023 Kickoff

Get started with the kickoff, hosted on April 28 with Naval Postgraduate School and Open Robotics. Michael and Carlos go over an introduction to VRX, covering the following topics: why the simulation, why the competition, what is VRX, VRX 2023 tasks, how to get started, the migration to gazebo sim and ROS 2, the submission process and questions/discussion.

 

Competition Timeline

Meet the Teams

Advancing Science Technology and Arts
Advancing Science Technology and Arts
Team Inspiration

San Diego, California, USA

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Our team has been thriving and growing since its inception in 2011 with six elementary school students. We first competed in FIRST and then added Robonation. We now have team members ranging from middle school to college students from schools around the world. We are active participants in local/global communities sharing our knowledge to promote STEM education. We are very fortunate to have many mentors/sponsors guiding and supporting us in our robotics journey.

Bannari Amman Institute of Technology
Bannari Amman Institute of Technology
Team Abyss

Erode, Tamilnadu, India

Instagram

 

We are TEAM ABYSS representing Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, India. The team of undergraduate engineers from various engineering disciplines is interested in researching new technologies in the field of ocean technology. Also, we proudly take part in plenty of outreach activities each year to perform this type of event.

Chesapeake Math & IT Academy
Chesapeake Math & IT Academy
Team Illusion

Laurel, Maryland, USA

Website | X (formerly Twitter) | Instagram

 

Team Illusion was formed more than a decade ago, working with local home-schooled families, to allow them to compete in the FIRST Robotics Competition. The team has also participated in the FIRST Tech Challenge, Sea Perch, and Vex Robotics Competitions. The team is currently sponsored by Chesapeake Math and IT Academy North High Schools and the Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation.

City University of Hong Kong
City University of Hong Kong
Charlie's Robotic Team

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Website

 

Charlie’s Robotic Team is a new team founded by software engineers who have had experience with robotics but lack the resources to acquire marine robotic equipment, which greatly contributes to our enthusiasm in virtual environments and simulators that do well to provide us an authentic playground to experiment.

Diponegoro University
Diponegoro University
Aterkia Roboboat Team

Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia

Website | Instagram

 

Aterkia Roboboat is a robotic organization at Diponegoro University that focuses on Autonomous Surface Vehicle research and development. We make robots, to compete at International Roboboat Competition held by Robonation in Florida, USA, and National Unmanned Fast Ship Contest or Kontes Kapal Cepat Tak Berawak Nasional (KKCTBN) held by Ministry of Research and Technology Indonesia. Our target is to be an Indonesian’s leading Autonomous Surface Vehicle organization that contributes to Indonesians’ maritime vehicle technology.

Emanuel School
Emanuel School
Team Absolute Autonomy

Randwick, New South Wales, Australia

Instagram

 

We are an Australian highschool student-led team who are passionate about everything robotics and programming. Team Absolute Autonomy was formed for the 2023 VRX Competition, and have extensive experience with robotics, programming, and 3D modelling.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Team Minion

Daytona Beach, Florida, USA

Website | Instagram

 

Team Minion is comprised of graduate and undergraduate students from various engineering disciplines who all provide unique skill sets to the team. Team Minion is committed to staying at the forefront of robotics research and development and exploring new technologies and capabilities in the maritime robotics field.

Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech
Marine Robotics Group at GT

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Website | Instagram

 

Marine Robotics Group is an organization dedicated to student-led exploratory robotics. We participate in various maritime robotics challenges, such as RoboSub and RobotX, and are working to send an autonomous boat across the Atlantic Ocean for the Microtransat Challenge. We accept members of all majors, and aim to cultivate skills and assign work flexibly according to member interest. Projects include electrical system development, robotics software development, and mechanical and structures work.

Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
AUV-IITB

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Website | Facebook | Instagram

 

AUV-IITB comprises 55+ highly enthusiastic and hard-working technocrats on underwater robotics ranging from freshmen to driven senior undergraduates and experienced post-graduates spanning various branches of engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. We work on Matsya, a series of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs)to deliver a research platform in underwater robotics and promote autonomous systems.

Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Aritra

Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Website

 

Team ARITRA, part of the MAV Lab at IIT Madras, is a highly skilled competition team focused on marine autonomy. We participate in international competitions, showcasing our expertise and representing our institution on a global scale. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge technology, we strive to develop state-of-the-art autonomous vehicles for challenging marine environments.

Istanbul Medeniyet University
Istanbul Medeniyet University
Team IMU-VRX

Istanbul, Turkey

X (formerly Twitter) | Instagram

 

Team IMU VRX is a team affiliated with the Istanbul Medeniyet University Field Robotics Laboratory, which is the meeting point for enthusiasts to gain experience in robotics. We conduct research projects and participate in competitions involving UAVs, USVs, UGVs and UUVs. Additionally, we contribute to academic knowledge by generating theses and research papers based on our work.
We aim to leverage our VRX 2022 experience for success in this year’s competition and future endeavors.

Korea Maritime & Ocean University
Korea Maritime & Ocean University
KMOU MACRO

Busan, Yeongdo-gu, South Korea

Website

 

We are a research laboratory of Korea Maritime University in Busan, South Korea, exploring the intelligentization and autonomization of marine vehicles. We research algorithms and artificial intelligence technologies that improve the cognitive judgment and control capabilities of unmanned autonomous ships and underwater robots, and conduct various projects. The team is composed of 8 members, including supervisor.

Lake Superior State University & Florida Atlantic University
Lake Superior State University & Florida Atlantic University
Team AMORE

Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, USA & Boca Raton, Florida, USA

Website | Facebook | Instagram

 

Team Amore is an undergraduate level team located at Lake Superior State University. Our team is divided in a university club called “LSSU RobotX Club”, a senior project team and also a research class. The team was founded in August 2021, and participated in VRX 2022, RobotX Challenge in 2022, and RoboBoat 2023. Florida Atlantic University is collaborating with Lake Superior State University for the VRX 2024 Competition.

Manipal Institute of Technology
Manipal Institute of Technology
Robotics and Circuits

Manipal, Kamataka, India

Website | Instagram

 

Robotics and Circuits is a dynamic student organization at Manipal Institute of Technology. Our focus is on embracing the latest advancements in robotics, automation, computer vision, embedded systems, and related disciplines. With a diverse and collaborative team, we are engaged in exciting projects throughout the year.

 

Within our interdisciplinary group, we thrive on the spirit of innovation, turning concepts into reality. Our members possess the unique ability to envision, create, and bring ideas to life, fostering an environment of constant exploration and development.

 

Moreover, we actively participate in various robotics competitions across the country, where we put our skills to the test and demonstrate our commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Arcturus

Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

Website | Instagram

 

Arcturus is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s autonomous marine robotics team. We provide an incredible opportunity for students to learn the fundamentals of applied engineering, including computer-aided design, finite element analysis, laser cutting, drilling, milling, rapid prototyping, and programming. The team has competed twice in Robo-Boat and also competed in the Njord Challenge located in Trondheim, Norway. This is the team’s first time competing in the VRX competition after being formed less than 2 years ago.

Nanyang Technological University
Nanyang Technological University
SINGABOAT

Singapore, Singapore

 

We are Singaboat, a team of innovative minds, united by our passion for simulation technology for pushing the boundaries of autonomous technology. With a shared commitment to creativity and problem-solving, we develop an autonomous surface vehicle that can tackle a range of challenging tasks with enthusiasm.

National University of Singapore
National University of Singapore
Bumblebee Autonomous Systems

Singapore, Singapore

Website | Facebook | Instagram

 

We are a group of innovators who envision to build autonomous systems of the future. We build and design autonomous maritime vehicles that capable of navigating underwater and on the water surface and perform a series of tasks without any remote control assistance. The system is targeted to be designed as highly intelligent and robust to changing environmental conditions. Full autonomy is achieved with an advanced sensor suite and array of powerful actuators.

Politeknik Elektronika Negeri Surabaya
Politeknik Elektronika Negeri Surabaya
PENShip

Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia

Instagram

 

PENShip is a robotic team owned by Electronic Engineering Polytechnic Institute of Surabaya which focuses on research and development of Remotely Operated Vehicles. we compete every year and win the National Unmanned Fast Boat (KKCTBN) and the Indonesian Underwater Robot Contest (KRBAI) organized by the Indonesian Ministry of Research and Technology.

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Caleuche

Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Chile

Instagram

 

Caleuche is a team of undergraduate and graduate students from different engineering majors of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, who share a passion for robotics. We enjoy working as a team, learning new things and testing our skills. As a team we strive to develop autonomous systems that will be of use to overcome challenges in our home country.

PSG College of Technology
PSG College of Technology
TEAM X

Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India

 

Team X, composed of skilled individuals Shakthi Bala and Yuvan, brings a dynamic duo to the table. With a core proficiency in ROS (Robot Operating System), we possess the expertise to navigate the complex realm of robotics and automation. Our collaborative synergy and innovative mindset enable us to tackle intricate challenges effectively. Team X is driven by a shared passion for advancing technology, making us a formidable force in the world of robotics.

UCL (University College London) / Wuhan University of Technology / CMU
UCL (University College London) / Wuhan University of Technology / CMU
FRL

London, United Kingdom

 

The FRL Team comprises a diverse group of undergraduate and doctoral students from UCL, Wuhan University of Technology, and CMU specialising in various disciplines such as Naval Architecture, Mechatronics, Robotics, etc. These team members have a strong research foundation and extensive expertise in algorithm design and software development for unmanned systems, including UAVs, UGVs, and USVs. Over the years, the team has successfully developed and implemented visual-based SLAM algorithms for UAVs, multi-agent planning modules for UGVs, and designed an autonomous trajectory tracking and controlling system for USVs utilizing platforms like ROS2 and Gazebo.

University of Sydney
University of Sydney
USYD Sealions

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Website

 

As the USYD Sealions, our mission is not only to achieve success in the RobotX WAM-V Challenge, but also to develop a platform that can be adapted to a variety of projects such as defense, research, and marine rescue. We believe that our efforts in this area will contribute to the development of cutting-edge technology and to the advancement of robotics as a field. With this goal, we are a diverse team of ambitious undergraduates who aim to improve both ourselves, and the team, in the field of autonomous robotics.