Design the Future of UC Air Mobility: Air Operations System Development | CITRIS Aviation Prize

The 2024–25 CITRIS Aviation Prize aims to advance air mobility by bringing University of California students, researchers and professionals together to design critical aviation simulations and subsystems, integrating air transit into campus transportation networks and empowering efficient intercampus travel.

This competition is open to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at the UC campuses in Berkeley, Davis, Merced and Santa Cruz.

The first CITRIS Aviation Prize, launched in 2021, challenged student teams to develop a long-distance, fully autonomous flight with a small UAV, culminating in a successful demonstration. Building on this achievement, the 2023–24 competition envisioned a forward-looking air mobility system for the university, incorporating advanced air mobility (AAM) technology to revolutionize transportation within and among campuses.

This year’s competition continues an exciting multiyear journey to advance campus air mobility. The 2024–25 CITRIS Aviation Prize tasks student teams to develop air operations system simulation software for the proposed University of California air mobility system, paving the way for efficient campus-to-campus travel across the UC system.

Subsequent CITRIS Aviation Prize competitions will further develop these AAM plans, with future challenges delving into campus infrastructure design and ultimately culminating in real-world testing and implementation. This phased approach ensures a comprehensive and sustainable advancement of air mobility technologies.

The 2024–25 CITRIS Aviation Prize will encourage teams to explore electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) mobility solutions around Moffett Field, enhancing operational safety and integration with existing aerospace activities. Representatives from NASA’s Ames Research Center will participate in our judging panel, bringing unparalleled expertise in aerospace technology and innovation to evaluate the student proposals. The competition will conclude with final team reports and an awards ceremony, providing students the opportunity to present their innovative air mobility solutions directly to leading experts in the field.

#aviation #advancedairmobility #uc
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:57s – Courtesy of Berkeley Space Center
1:08 – Courtesy of NASA

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