Search and Rescue: Shapeways and DJI Introduce Phantom 4 Drone Accessory 3D Design Challenge

DJI’s Phantom 4 is a drone that has received much attention for its integrated camera, sleek design, and long flying range. Now, DJI has teamed up with 3D printing services company Shapeways to sponsor a 3D drone design competition that will hopefully save some lives in the process.

This drone — which is marketed as having “visionary intelligence and elevated imagination” — has precise hovering capabilities that make it safer to fly compared with its competitors. It can instantly brake and hover on command, and if the drone is disturbed during a hover, its Advanced Vision Positioning System will even track Phantom 4’s movement, returning it to its starting point. It is remote controlled, and includes an obstacle sensing system, a gimbal, a charger, an intelligent flight battery and more.

The Search and Rescue 3D Printing Design Contest asks participants to design a DJI Phantom 4 attachment that can be used by first responders for water search and rescue efforts. Here is a brief description of the challenge, which seeks designers to enhance an already highly effective machine:

“Severe weather and rough waters are classic hallmarks of ocean rescue, complicating an already challenging rescue operation–finding a small body in a large body of water. By adding 3D printed accessories that can improve the drone’s visibility, carry payloads and land on water, first responders could cover more area, cutting response times while monitoring hard to navigate waters. More lives would be saved, and fewer first responders put at risk, all thanks to your 3D printed drone modification.”

Check out this video for more details on the contest:

If you want to enter the challenge you need to follow a few basic steps. You need to design a drone accessory that is compatible with the DJI Phantom 4 or earlier DJI model. Next, upload your model onto Shapeways – either via the contest page or by tagging it in your shop with “SAR3DP” – and write a description of it that focuses on its purpose, how it aids first responders, and instructions on attaching it to a drone. Finally, you should share your entry on Twitter or Instagram with #SAR3DP @Shapeways and @DJIGlobal.

Judging criteria for the challenge are based on: compatibility with the DJI Phantom 4 or an earlier model; ability to directly aid first responders in the field; originality; and 3D printability using Shapeways materials.

At the New York City Maker Faire on October 1, 2016, the winners and three runners up will be announced and a live, onsite demonstration of the winning design will be given before it is donated to a California fire department. The Grand Prize winner will receive a DJI Phantom 4 drone and $1,000 in Shapeways printing credit. Runners up will each get $500 in Shapeways printing credit.

Judges include:

• Tony O’Brien: Deputy Executive Director, EENA
• Joseph Novelli: Battalion Chief, Opperations, USA
• Romeo Durscher: Director of Education, DJI
• Eli Harris: Business Development Director, DJI
• Lauren Slowik: Education, Shapeways
• Peter Weijmarshausen: CEO, Shapeways

Good luck! Discuss this further over in the 3D Printed Drone Accessories Challenge forum at 3DPB.com.