{"id":8,"date":"2026-03-27T04:03:36","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T04:03:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ieeesmc.org\/2026-sar-competition\/?page_id=8"},"modified":"2026-04-14T23:23:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T23:23:06","slug":"home-is-where-you-are","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.ieeesmc.org\/2026-sar-competition\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-hero stk-block-hero stk-block stk-9a251b7 is-style-default\" data-v=\"2\" data-block-id=\"9a251b7\"><style>.stk-9a251b7-inner-blocks{justify-content:center !important;}.stk-9a251b7 .stk-block-hero__content{min-height:500px !important;align-items:center !important;display:flex !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-block-hero__content stk-content-align stk-9a251b7-column stk-container stk-9a251b7-container stk-hover-parent\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks has-text-align-center stk--column-flex stk-9a251b7-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-50d0243 stk-block-background stk--has-background-overlay\" id=\"call-for-participation-artificial-intelligence-ai-empowered-technology-innovation-in-human-machine-interaction\" data-block-id=\"50d0243\"><style>.stk-50d0243 {background-image:url(https:\/\/www.ieeesmc.org\/2025-ieee-sar-hackathon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2025\/09\/swin-atc.jpg) !important;}.stk-50d0243:before{background-color:#000000 !important;opacity:0.5 !important;}.stk-50d0243 .stk-block-heading__text{color:var(--theme-palette-color-7, #FAFBFC) !important;}<\/style><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text has-text-color\">2026 IEEE SMCS Open-Source Search and Rescue Competition<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-8d3038d\" data-block-id=\"8d3038d\"><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-8d3038d-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-1b157b9\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"1b157b9\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-1b157b9-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-1b157b9-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-401d390\" data-block-id=\"401d390\"><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-401d390-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-68d80ac\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"68d80ac\"><style>@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-68d80ac {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 calc(33.33% - var(--stk-column-gap, 0px) * 2 \/ 3 ) !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-68d80ac-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-68d80ac-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ieeesmc.org\/2025-ieee-sar-hackathon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2025\/09\/ieee-logo-2-1024x602.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-a56fc2f\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"a56fc2f\"><style>@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-a56fc2f {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 calc(33.33% - var(--stk-column-gap, 0px) * 2 \/ 3 ) !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-a56fc2f-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-a56fc2f-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ieeesmc.org\/2025-ieee-sar-hackathon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2025\/09\/smc_logo_with_symbol-Blue-159242824.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-825d63c\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"825d63c\"><style>@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-825d63c {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 calc(33.33% - var(--stk-column-gap, 0px) * 2 \/ 3 ) !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-825d63c-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-825d63c-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-9c98922\" data-block-id=\"9c98922\"><style>.stk-9c98922 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:var(--stk--preset--font-size--large, 30px) !important;}@media screen and (max-width:999px){.stk-9c98922 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:var(--stk--preset--font-size--large, 30px) !important;}}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">\ud83c\udfc6 Prizes<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-subtitle stk-block-subtitle stk-block stk-039981e\" data-block-id=\"039981e\"><style>.stk-039981e {margin-bottom:0px !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-subtitle__text stk-subtitle\">\ud83e\udd47&nbsp;<strong>1st Prize:<\/strong>&nbsp;AUD 15,000<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-subtitle stk-block-subtitle stk-block stk-9c50cf7\" data-block-id=\"9c50cf7\"><style>.stk-9c50cf7 {margin-bottom:0px !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-subtitle__text stk-subtitle\">\ud83e\udd48&nbsp;<strong>2nd Prize:<\/strong>&nbsp;AUD 10,000<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-subtitle stk-block-subtitle stk-block stk-60d32ff\" data-block-id=\"60d32ff\"><p class=\"stk-block-subtitle__text stk-subtitle\">\ud83e\udd49&nbsp;<strong>3rd Prize:<\/strong>&nbsp;AUD 5,000<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-a2bcca8\" data-block-id=\"a2bcca8\"><style>.stk-a2bcca8 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:var(--stk--preset--font-size--medium, 20px) !important;}@media screen and (max-width:999px){.stk-a2bcca8 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:var(--stk--preset--font-size--medium, 20px) !important;}}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">The IEEE Systems, Man, and Cybernetics Society (SMCS) and Swinburne University of Technology invite undergraduates, young researchers (postgraduate research students and early-career researchers who have graduated within the past five years) worldwide to participate in the 2026 IEEE SMCS Open-Source Search and Rescue (SAR) Competition. This exciting two-phase challenge is designed to advance innovation in autonomy, artificial intelligence and robotics.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">This competition offers a unique opportunity to design, build, and test intelligent machine\u2013machine teaming solutions\u2014from simulation to real-world implementation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button-group stk-block-button-group stk-block stk-3f69ebc\" data-block-id=\"3f69ebc\"><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-button-group\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button has-text-align-center stk-block stk-84588b0\" data-block-id=\"84588b0\"><a class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ieeesmc.org\/2026-sar-competition\/registration\/\"><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\"><strong>Register Now<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-77ef192\" id=\"awards-and-recognition\" data-block-id=\"77ef192\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text has-text-align-center\">Awards and Recognition<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-icon-box stk-block-icon-box stk-block stk-d3e2982\" data-v=\"2\" data-block-id=\"d3e2982\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-block-icon-box__content stk-container stk-d3e2982-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">The overall winners will be determined at the end of the Phase&nbsp;2&nbsp;competition<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-50ac4a7\" data-block-id=\"50ac4a7\"><style>.stk-50ac4a7 {margin-bottom:0px !important;}.stk-50ac4a7 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:var(--stk--preset--font-size--medium, 20px) !important;}@media screen and (max-width:999px){.stk-50ac4a7 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:var(--stk--preset--font-size--medium, 20px) !important;}}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">\ud83e\udd47First Prize: AUD 15,000<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-abca86c\" data-block-id=\"abca86c\"><style>.stk-abca86c {margin-bottom:0px !important;}.stk-abca86c .stk-block-text__text{font-size:var(--stk--preset--font-size--medium, 20px) !important;}@media screen and (max-width:999px){.stk-abca86c .stk-block-text__text{font-size:var(--stk--preset--font-size--medium, 20px) !important;}}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">\ud83e\udd48Second Prize: AUD 10,000<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-18ebd70\" data-block-id=\"18ebd70\"><style>.stk-18ebd70 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:var(--stk--preset--font-size--medium, 20px) !important;}@media screen and (max-width:999px){.stk-18ebd70 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:var(--stk--preset--font-size--medium, 20px) !important;}}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">\ud83e\udd49Third Place: AUD 5,000<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Up to six teams from Phase 1 will be selected to compete in Phase 2, and each team will receive up to AUD 5,000 in support funding to attend the in-person competition in Melbourne, Australia.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-d1e27d8\" id=\"heading-placeholder\" data-block-id=\"d1e27d8\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text has-text-align-center\">Competition Structure<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-20e8b2c\" data-block-id=\"20e8b2c\"><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-20e8b2c-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-6cd767a\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"6cd767a\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-6cd767a-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-6cd767a-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-card stk-block-card stk-block stk-6839c35 is-style-default\" data-v=\"2\" data-block-id=\"6839c35\"><style>.stk-6839c35 .stk-block-card__image{height:372px !important;}.stk-6839c35 .stk-block-card__image img{object-fit:contain !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk--no-padding stk-container stk-6839c35-container stk-hover-parent\"><figure class=\"stk-block-card__image stk-img-wrapper stk-image--shape-stretch\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-15\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ieeesmc.org\/2026-sar-competition\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/03\/Phase1SimEnv.png\" width=\"1255\" height=\"749\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ieeesmc.org\/2026-sar-competition\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/03\/Phase1SimEnv.png 1255w, https:\/\/www.ieeesmc.org\/2026-sar-competition\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/03\/Phase1SimEnv-300x179.png 300w, https:\/\/www.ieeesmc.org\/2026-sar-competition\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/03\/Phase1SimEnv-1024x611.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.ieeesmc.org\/2026-sar-competition\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/03\/Phase1SimEnv-768x458.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1255px) 100vw, 1255px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"stk-container-padding stk-block-card__content\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-6839c35-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-9909d1a\" id=\"c-title-1-placeholder\" data-block-id=\"9909d1a\"><style>.stk-9909d1a {margin-bottom:0px !important;}<\/style><h3 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\">Phase 1: Multi-UGV Search-and-Rescue Simulation<\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Teams will design autonomous agents to control a fleet of uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) in a Webots-based search and rescue simulation environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Agents must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Analyze and extract information from pre-recorded flyover footage of the disaster scene<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Plan the mission execution using the information extracted from the flyover footage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Execute the search-and-rescue mission using the fleet of UGVs to explore the environment and locate victims<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Deliverables<\/strong>: Software solution, simulation logs, and an online pitch explaining coordination strategies, justification methods, and scalability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button-group alignwide stk-block-button-group stk-block stk-00a0113\" data-block-id=\"00a0113\"><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks has-text-align-center stk-block-content stk-button-group\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button stk-block stk-ea66af9\" data-block-id=\"ea66af9\"><a class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/IEEE-SMCS\/2026-ieee-smcs-competition-phase-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\">Phase 1 repository<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-6e1ec19\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"6e1ec19\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-6e1ec19-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-6e1ec19-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-card stk-block-card stk-block stk-b86afcd is-style-default\" data-v=\"2\" data-block-id=\"b86afcd\"><style>.stk-b86afcd .stk-block-card__image{aspect-ratio:3\/1 !important;height:372px !important;}.stk-b86afcd .stk-block-card__image img{object-position:36% 7.000000000000001% !important;object-fit:contain !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk--no-padding stk-container stk-b86afcd-container stk-hover-parent\"><figure class=\"stk-block-card__image stk-img-wrapper stk-image--shape-stretch\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-33\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ieeesmc.org\/2026-sar-competition\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/03\/Phase2Img.png\" width=\"2450\" height=\"1107\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ieeesmc.org\/2026-sar-competition\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/03\/Phase2Img.png 2450w, https:\/\/www.ieeesmc.org\/2026-sar-competition\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/03\/Phase2Img-300x136.png 300w, https:\/\/www.ieeesmc.org\/2026-sar-competition\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/03\/Phase2Img-1024x463.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.ieeesmc.org\/2026-sar-competition\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/03\/Phase2Img-768x347.png 768w, https:\/\/www.ieeesmc.org\/2026-sar-competition\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/03\/Phase2Img-1536x694.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.ieeesmc.org\/2026-sar-competition\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2026\/03\/Phase2Img-2048x925.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2450px) 100vw, 2450px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"stk-container-padding stk-block-card__content\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-b86afcd-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-ad6b0f3\" id=\"c-title-2-placeholder\" data-block-id=\"ad6b0f3\"><style>.stk-ad6b0f3 {margin-bottom:0px !important;}<\/style><h3 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\">Phase 2: Real-World Disaster Mission<\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Teams will deploy a fleet of UGVs provided by the organisers in a physical mock-up &#8220;disaster scene&#8221; featuring hazards and obstacles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tasks include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Victim localization and condition reporting.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hazard-aware navigation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Identification and reporting of special hazards.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Technical presentation of the proposed solution and algorithms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-5f890e4\" id=\"key-dates\" data-block-id=\"5f890e4\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text has-text-align-center\">Key Dates<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-timeline stk-block-timeline stk-block-timeline--left stk-block stk-f109774\" data-block-id=\"f109774\"><style>@media screen and (max-width:689px){.stk-f109774 .stk-inner-blocks:after{top:16px !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-f109774-column\"><div class=\"stk-block-timeline__date\">April 15, 2026<\/div><div class=\"stk-block-timeline__middle\"><\/div><div class=\"stk-block-timeline__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-8d668f3\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"8d668f3\"><style>.stk-8d668f3-container{margin-top:0px !important;margin-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;margin-left:0px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-8d668f3-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-8d668f3-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-260a32a\" data-block-id=\"260a32a\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><strong>Call for participation<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-timeline stk-block-timeline stk-block-timeline--left stk-block stk-b817656\" data-block-id=\"b817656\"><style>@media screen and (max-width:689px){.stk-b817656 .stk-inner-blocks:after{top:16px !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-b817656-column\"><div class=\"stk-block-timeline__date\">April 15, 2026<\/div><div class=\"stk-block-timeline__middle\"><\/div><div class=\"stk-block-timeline__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-c6aae45\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"c6aae45\"><style>.stk-c6aae45-container{margin-top:0px !important;margin-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;margin-left:0px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-c6aae45-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-c6aae45-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-6fff81d\" data-block-id=\"6fff81d\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><strong>Release of Phase 1 simulation environments<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-timeline stk-block-timeline stk-block-timeline--left stk-block stk-f7fca98\" data-block-id=\"f7fca98\"><style>@media screen and (max-width:689px){.stk-f7fca98 .stk-inner-blocks:after{top:16px !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-f7fca98-column\"><div class=\"stk-block-timeline__date\">May 31, 2026<\/div><div class=\"stk-block-timeline__middle\"><\/div><div class=\"stk-block-timeline__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-45f3999\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"45f3999\"><style>.stk-45f3999-container{margin-top:0px !important;margin-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;margin-left:0px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-45f3999-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-45f3999-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-cb455b4\" data-block-id=\"cb455b4\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><strong>Phase 1 submission deadline<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-timeline stk-block-timeline stk-block-timeline--left stk-block stk-c470f43\" data-block-id=\"c470f43\"><style>@media screen and (max-width:689px){.stk-c470f43 .stk-inner-blocks:after{top:16px !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-c470f43-column\"><div class=\"stk-block-timeline__date\">June 12, 2026 (TBC)<\/div><div class=\"stk-block-timeline__middle\"><\/div><div class=\"stk-block-timeline__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-3dcf140\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"3dcf140\"><style>.stk-3dcf140-container{margin-top:0px !important;margin-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;margin-left:0px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-3dcf140-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-3dcf140-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-ff79077\" data-block-id=\"ff79077\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><strong>Phase 1 online pitch<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-timeline stk-block-timeline stk-block-timeline--left stk-block stk-3431745\" data-block-id=\"3431745\"><style>@media screen and (max-width:689px){.stk-3431745 .stk-inner-blocks:after{top:16px !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-3431745-column\"><div class=\"stk-block-timeline__date\">June 30, 2026<\/div><div class=\"stk-block-timeline__middle\"><\/div><div class=\"stk-block-timeline__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-dff165c\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"dff165c\"><style>.stk-dff165c-container{margin-top:0px !important;margin-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;margin-left:0px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-dff165c-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-dff165c-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-1b4417e\" data-block-id=\"1b4417e\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><strong>Announcement of finalists and release of Phase 2<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-timeline stk-block-timeline stk-block-timeline--left stk-block stk-50b9c46\" data-block-id=\"50b9c46\"><style>@media screen and (max-width:689px){.stk-50b9c46 .stk-inner-blocks:after{top:16px !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-50b9c46-column\"><div class=\"stk-block-timeline__date\">July &#8211; October, 2026<\/div><div class=\"stk-block-timeline__middle\"><\/div><div class=\"stk-block-timeline__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-dbf3646\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"dbf3646\"><style>.stk-dbf3646-container{margin-top:0px !important;margin-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;margin-left:0px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-dbf3646-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-dbf3646-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-0780521\" data-block-id=\"0780521\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><strong>Teams develop and prepare Phase 2 solutions<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-timeline stk-block-timeline stk-block-timeline--left stk-is-last stk-block stk-ad8bad2\" data-block-id=\"ad8bad2\"><style>.stk-ad8bad2 {margin-bottom:24px !important;}@media screen and (max-width:689px){.stk-ad8bad2 .stk-inner-blocks:after{top:16px !important;bottom:calc(0px + (100% - 0px) - 16px) !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-ad8bad2-column\"><div class=\"stk-block-timeline__date\">Early December (TBC)<\/div><div class=\"stk-block-timeline__middle\"><\/div><div class=\"stk-block-timeline__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-1bc8e92\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"1bc8e92\"><style>.stk-1bc8e92-container{margin-top:0px !important;margin-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;margin-left:0px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-1bc8e92-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-1bc8e92-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-01843fc\" data-block-id=\"01843fc\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><strong>Phase 2 on-site competition event<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-a73ebdb\" id=\"who-can-participate\" data-block-id=\"a73ebdb\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text has-text-align-center\">Who Can Participate?<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-35ac53e\" data-block-id=\"35ac53e\"><style>.stk-35ac53e .stk-block-text__text{font-size:var(--stk--preset--font-size--medium, 20px) !important;}@media screen and (max-width:999px){.stk-35ac53e .stk-block-text__text{font-size:var(--stk--preset--font-size--medium, 20px) !important;}}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">Each team must consist of 2 \u2013 4 undergraduate and postgraduate students with a staff member as an advisor. Eligible staff members include faculty members, research fellows and post-docs in universities or research institutions. Please note that a valid team must contain both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Lastly, to be eligible to receive prize money at the end of Phase 2 all team members must be registered <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ieeesmc.org\/membership\/\">IEEE SMCS members<\/a>. <\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns alignfull stk-block-columns stk-block stk-1e6e067\" data-block-id=\"1e6e067\"><style>.stk-1e6e067 {margin-top:var(--stk--preset--spacing--70, 3.38rem) !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-1e6e067-column alignwide\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-78cacbc\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"78cacbc\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-78cacbc-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-78cacbc-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-9a9fd59\" data-block-id=\"9a9fd59\"><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-9a9fd59-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-553e8f6\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"553e8f6\"><style>@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-553e8f6 {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 calc(33.33% - 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var(--stk-column-gap, 0px) * 2 \/ 3 ) !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-a9a871f-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-a9a871f-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image stk-block stk-4144237\" data-block-id=\"4144237\"><style>.stk-4144237 .stk-img-wrapper{width:80% !important;height:100% !important;}@media screen and (max-width:999px){.stk-4144237 .stk-img-wrapper{width:100% !important;}}@media screen and (max-width:689px){.stk-4144237 .stk-img-wrapper{width:95% !important;}}<\/style><figure><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-image--shape-stretch\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-58\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ieeesmc.org\/2025-ieee-sar-hackathon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2025\/10\/swin-2025-logo.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" \/><\/span><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>2026 IEEE SMCS Open-Source Search and Rescue Competition \ud83c\udfc6 Prizes \ud83e\udd47&nbsp;1st Prize:&nbsp;AUD 15,000 \ud83e\udd48&nbsp;2nd Prize:&nbsp;AUD 10,000 \ud83e\udd49&nbsp;3rd Prize:&nbsp;AUD 5,000 The IEEE Systems, Man, and Cybernetics Society (SMCS) and Swinburne University of Technology invite undergraduates, young researchers (postgraduate research students and early-career researchers who have graduated within the past five years) worldwide to participate in the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2605,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-8","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"blocksy_meta":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.6 - 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