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Airbus has thrown its support behind the New Zealand Aerospace challenge, which asks university students and start-up companies to find solutions to environmental problems.
The challenge, which was launched in Christchurch on Friday, is seeking innovative ways to detect, monitor or measure water or soil pollution using satellite and unmanned aircraft technology.
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The top 20 entrants will be involved into an incubator program and receive access to Airbus satellite data, mentoring and training from specialists and advice for conducting unmanned aircraft flights.
Meanwhile, up to 10 finalists will give a final demonstration and pitch their ideas, with the winner to be announced in Christchurch in October, according to the NZ Aerospace challenge website.
Airbus said it would provide geospatial data and mentors to participants throughout the challenge.
“As a company, we are constantly looking for the best and brightest to help us to solve today’s challenges,” Airbus Australia Pacific managing director Andrew Mathewson said in a statement.
“This is why we are proud to be a part of the New Zealand Aerospace Challenge; a tangible outcome of our partnership with the New Zealand Government.”
“The nation’s agriculture sector provides an important backbone to the country and shares our drive to enhance regeneration.”
Airbus said its support of the NZ Aerospace Challenge formed part of its partnership with the New Zealand ministry of business, innovation and employment that was forged in 2018.
New Zealand Minister of Research, Science and Innovation Megan Woods said the challenge sought to generate solutions for problems facing the country’s agricultural sector and serve as a catalyst for stimulating innovation in unmanned aircraft, as well as space data technology and applications.
“Airbus is a world leader in aeronautics and space technology with deep knowledge and powerful data, and we are excited Airbus has chosen to come to New Zealand and engage closely with our research institutions,” Dr Woods said.
More information can be found on the New Zealand Aerospace Challenge website.
