Global Drone Student Challenge - MATLAB & Simulink

Global Drone Student Challenge 2025

Get ready to expand your engineering skills. Design a line follower algorithm for a drone in a photorealistic Simulink 3D environment to gain industry-relevant skills and a chance to win exciting rewards. 

Compete virtually with peers from across the globe, enhance your simulation skills, and gain an edge if you choose to participate in a future MathWorks minidrone competition. Your model will be tested on three levels of intense tracks—beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Does your submission have what it takes to tackle the challenges and rise to the top?

Register for the competition Submit your entry

Join the Build with Us session March 7 at 8:30 a.m. EST to get expert tips and kick-start your competition journey. Register now.

Competition Details

Develop a robust line follower algorithm for a drone in Simulink using relevant toolboxes while leveraging your vision-based logic implementation skills. Create a model that can conquer any track, no matter how complex.

Below are three track examples to inspire your design.

Beginner track

Intermediate track

Advanced track

For detailed track-building instructions, refer to the rules and guidelines.

Compete as an individual or form a team of 2 to 4 members and collaborate to take on the challenge. This competition is open to students worldwide.

Get Ready to Take Off

  1. Apply to receive the competition materials.
  2. Watch the MathWorks Global Drone Student Challenge Overview video to better understand the challenge details.
  3. Review the competition rules and guidelines.
  4. Complete the MATLAB Onramp, Simulink Onramp, Stateflow Onramp, Image Processing Onramp, and Computer Vision Onramp courses before starting to work on your algorithm.
Register for the competition Submit your entry

Competition Timeline

Registration deadline March 6, 2025
Submission deadline March 20, 2025
Results announced April 7, 2025

Win Exciting Rewards

  • Cash prizes for top entries
    • First place: $500 (USD)
    • Second place: $300 (USD)
    • Third place: $200 (USD)
  • LinkedIn recommendations for the top 3 teams
  • An exclusive opportunity for the winning teams to interact with a drone expert at MathWorks

No participation fees

Free self-paced tutorials

Complimentary MathWorks software

MathWorks Global Drone Student Challenge Overview

Get an overview of the MathWorks Global Drone Student Challenge, including the problem statement, Simulink model, evaluation process, and key resources.

MathWorks Minidrone Competition Video Series