Welcome to the DTRG 2025 Indoor Drone Competition page.
Here you will find the latest rules updates and the flight training sessions. Any updates will be added to the main rules PDF, with a summary of rules updates provided in the Rules Update Summary section, while a Frequently Asked Questions section can be found below.
The competition date will be held on 25 September, from 12 pm to 4pm.
If you wish to be added to the email list for updates, please complete this form: DTRG Competition Email Updates
Eligibility
Note that this competition is only open to University of Auckland Engineering Undergraduate Students in Parts I, II and III. Specific requirements for competition eligibility are:
- All team members must be University of Auckland Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) students in Part I, II, or III.
- Teams must consist of one, two, three, or four members.
- Only Team Member(s) who have attended at least three of the training sessions by Friday 29 August (scheduled below) will be permitted to fly during the competition (Pilot Competitor). Teams must have at least one Pilot Competitor to compete in the final contest.
- Teams must have registered with the organisers in order to compete. Registration has now CLOSED.
- Details for the servo attachment may be found below.
Competition Day
The competition will be held Thursday 25th September, running from 12pm to around 4pm in 405-836E (MoCap Lab). Teams will be briefed at 12pm, and then rotate through their 15 minute slots. Prizegiving will be approximately 3:30pm, with prizes for the top three teams.
Our competitors for 2025 are:
| R2JN | Onions & Potatoes | JAJA |
| F(l)ight Club | Squirrel In My Pants | Ctrl+Alt+Deliver |
| 4 Guys 1 Drone | Quad Squad | Only Fans |
Results
Well done to all teams who took part! The final results are…
- 1st Place: 4 Guys 1 Drone
- 2nd Place: Only Fans
- 3rd Place: F(l)ight Club
- Design Prize: Squirrel In My Pants
Rules
The guidelines for sample collection attachment can be found here (same as 2024):
An STL of the payload is available at the following link. Note that the square recess on the top contains the soft side of a Velcro patch. DTRG 2025 Competition Payload
Rules Update Summary
24 September 2025: Final team list added, FAQ updated.
02 September 2025: Competition Date Updated.
06 August 2025: FAQ section, Week 8 competition timeframe, added to web page.
22 July 2025: Initial Release.
FAQs
What type of servo will be provided?
This will be a Tower SG90 9g servo or similar (SG90 Digital – Tower Pro). An announcement will be sent out once these have arrived.
Can I attach my system to any part of the aircraft, other than the designated threaded holes?
No. You may only use the threaded holes on the mounting plate under the aircraft to attach your system.
Can I drop part of my system with the payload?
Subject to approval during flight training sessions. Such a system will only be approved if:
- The system component remains attached on the payload (it is not free to be blown across the course)
- The system component does not contain any active components. Examples of items which may be accepted are a velcro strap, or a light-weight hook.
- There is no risk of the released component interfering with the aircraft. For example, if a piece of string is left with the payload, it must be shown that this will not risk entanglement with the props.
Note that any time required to reset your system (reattaching the component) will count towards your run time.
What counts towards the run time, and what does not?
Any time that the aircraft cannot fly due to operational requirements (battery swaps, payload reset at the collection zone, technical fault with the aircraft, Pilot Director-induced crash) does not count towards your time, and the timer will be paused.
Any time that the aircraft cannot fly due to team design or action (payload system reset, payload install at the start zone, removing debris, Pilot Competitor-induced crash) does count towards your time, and the timer will not be stopped.
Can I cut across the centre of the course if dropping off in Zone 3?
No. You must complete the full circuit.
Am I disqualified if I touch the walls on Task 1?
Not disqualified, but your score will depend on the circumstances.
If there is a mild wall contact which does not require DTRG personnel intervention, then the contact does not impact your score.
If DTRG personnel (e.g., the Pilot Director) are required to intervene, or the aircraft crashes, the aircraft will be reset beyond the walls, and the Task 1 attempt scored as 0 for a failed passage. This will count towards your time.
Do I still need to land on a drop-off zone (Task 4) if I am unsuccessful in collecting a payload (Task 3)?
No. The points in Task 4 are for drop-off only, and so you may skip this if unsuccessful in Task 3.
I am not confident in the ability of my system to pick up the payload (Task 3). Is there any way for me to compete in the drop-off (Task 4)?
Yes. The rules allow you to request for the payload to be installed at the start zone. This is included in your time as a payload system reset.
Conversely, if you can pick up the payload but are not able to drop it off, you can complete Task 3 and skip Task 4. Removal of the payload at the start zone again counts as a payload system reset, and so is included in your time.
Can I send a team member to call out the number for Task 2 from the other side of the lab?
No. Task 2 must be completed with the downwards-facing camera on the aircraft. Any other means of identification will be scored as 0 for Task 2.
Flight Training and Test Sessions
Flight training sessions are only available for registered teams. All flight training and tests will be supervised by senior DTRG pilots.