International Meeting of the V4UAVchallenge Project Partners in Zvolen
International student drone competition moves a step closer
From 1 to 3 June 2026, a study visit was held at the Technical University in Zvolen, Slovakia, as part of the project “V4UAVchallenge – an annual students’ drone meeting and competition”, financed by the International Visegrad Fund.
The meeting brought together students and academic staff from partner universities in Slovakia, Poland and the Czech Republic, representing the Technical University in Zvolen, the University of the National Education Commission in Krakow, Brno University of Technology and Masaryk University.
Trials for the future UAV competition
The main purpose of the visit was to carry out practical preparations for the first international student competition devoted to unmanned aerial vehicles. The participants tested the proposed competition tasks in the field, assessed their level of difficulty and discussed possible methods of evaluating the teams.
The trials involved drones weighing up to 250 grams, including FPV aircraft controlled from the perspective of an onboard camera. Participants practised precise manoeuvring, flying along designated routes and completing tasks requiring speed, accuracy and good spatial awareness.
The tests made it possible to compare different technical solutions, refine the competition scenarios and establish rules for the safe organisation of drone flights. Possible emergency situations, take-off and landing procedures, and the organisation of a competition involving several teams were also analysed.
International cooperation and exchange of experience
The meeting in Zvolen also provided an opportunity for students and lecturers from the Visegrad Group countries to exchange knowledge and experience. The joint flights and workshops demonstrated that the future competition could be accessible both to beginners and to more experienced drone operators.
V4UAVchallenge is intended to combine sporting competition, practical UAV piloting skills and the presentation of drone applications in surveying, forestry, environmental protection and other sectors of the economy. The programme of the future event will also include seminars and presentations devoted to unmanned technologies and the education of drone operators.