“The goal of this competition is to
advance aerial robotics through autonomous LTA racing under real-world constraints in control, perception, and flight.”
The International Airship Racing (IAR) category at LARC challenges teams to design, build, and operate autonomous lighter-than-air robotic systems in a dynamic, hands-on competition.
Participants must navigate constrained environments using platforms with limited sensing, actuation, and payload capacity, pushing the boundaries of control, perception, and autonomy. The competition emphasizes robust system design, efficient resource utilization, and reliable aerial interaction.
More than a contest, IAR serves as a platform to advance research and education in aerial robotics, fostering innovation in embedded systems, multi-agent coordination, and intelligent autonomy, while promoting teamwork, creativity, and fair evaluation across all team
The International Airship Racing at LARC (IAR–LARC) brings together teams from Colombia, the United States, Mexico, and Ecuador in its first edition.
Experience robotic airships in action and engage with students showcasing innovations in aerial robotics.