ABOUT CHALLENGE

Compete for $685K in total prizes plus a chance to demo your prototype at a live competition

Indoor disaster response and search and rescue can be some of the most dangerous and difficult scenarios for First Responders. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) Division needs your innovative unmanned aircraft system (UAS) solutions to support First Responders by scouting an indoor structure and providing information about its condition and situation awareness prior to entry.

The outcomes of an ideal indoor UAS operation are improving the usability, or flyability, lowering the total cost of the UAS platform, and improving autonomous sensors while operating with limited or no GPS signal.

Focused on supporting the needs of the public safety community and its stakeholders.

To support the first responder community and help save lives.

Imagine a scenario where First Responders need to conduct a response and rescue effort within an indoor facility. To improve both safety and success, they would benefit from a UAS that could maneuver within a closed space.

Accept this Challenge to develop an ideal indoor UAS platform that offers improved usability, or flyability, and situational awareness and has a lower total cost while operating with limited or no GPS signal.

Stage 1 is completed. However, you can still apply as a walk-on contestant (Stage 2.2). Details can be found on the Challenge.gov website.

Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates about the First Responder UAS Indoor Challenge.

• The Contestant Portal for Stage 2.2. will be open on November 14, 2022. Additional guidance will also be provided on uploading the video-recorded flights and other submission materials.
• Review the exit disclaimer and click “Accept and Enter”.
• Click “JOIN CHALLENGE” when you are redirected to the Contestant Portal hosted by “BestinCrowd.”
• If you are a first-time user, sign up using your social media login or create a new account on the Contestant Portal hosted by “BestinCrowd.”
• Join the challenge as an individual or a team.  If you haven’t recruited all your team members, don’t worry–additional team members can be invited later.
• Please submit your concept paper and all other required documents using the format found in the official challenge rules by 8:59 PM EDT, February 17, 2023. 
• If you are competing as a team, only the Official Representative (i.e. team lead) may submit your team’s concept paper and required documents.
• You may replace your submission as often as you wish until the deadline.
• If you have any questions, please contact us.