The Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) is reaching new heights — literally. After the high-octane excitement of Season 1, it’s time to take to the skies once again with Season 2 of the A2RL autonomous drone championship. We’re officially on the runway for launch; planning is in full swing.
Testing begins this October, and for those with the vision (and the code) to challenge the limits of autonomous aerial performance, this is your chance to get in on the action.
October: Systems Go for Testing
Selected teams will begin track testing in October, putting autonomous flying drones through their paces in simulated race conditions. This phase will push systems to their limits — AI navigation, object detection, flight control, and strategy will all be under scrutiny. Whether you're refining the drone’s response algorithms or optimizing for maximum speed and agility, this is where the competition begins to take shape.
November: Qualification Rounds Begin
The race to the finals is decided in November, when qualifying stages will separate the contenders from the pretenders. Teams will compete in a series of performance benchmarks and race simulations to earn their place on the final competition grid.
Precision flying, smart decision-making, and split-second adaptability will be key. The qualification stages are designed not just to test drone capability, but to showcase innovation in autonomous flight.
A technically demanding track awaits, complete with dynamic obstacles and mission-based tasks designed to stretch the limits of perception, planning, and adaptability. Success will hinge not just on crossing the finish line first, but on how smartly each autonomous system can navigate the pressure.
Think You’ve Got What It Takes? There’s still time to enter.
You have until the 31st of August to register. If you're part of a cutting-edge team working in autonomous flight — whether from a university, startup, research institute, or industry — A2RL is calling for last-minute entries. Show the world your AI-powered drone skills and compete for a share of the cash prize pot and the chance to be crowned the champions of autonomous aerial racing.
Why Enter?
- Global Recognition: Join the A2RL roster and make your mark in a rapidly growing competitive tech arena.
- Cash Prize Pot: Put your code where your propellers are — top-performing teams will walk away with serious rewards.
- Tech Prowess: Benchmark your work against the world’s best in autonomous navigation, control, and AI decision-making.
- Community: Connect with innovators and experts across the autonomous racing ecosystem.
Applications are still open — but not for long.
Build your team, bring your A-game, and enter the race before it's too late.
You can learn how to get started by watching the latest Season 2 webinar here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-X8XgSxkjY
Sign up for Season 2 here: https://a2rl.io/autonomous-drone-race
Written by Josh Roles
