UTS Tech Festival 2023 - AWS DeepRacer Competition

UTS Tech Festival is back in 2023, bigger and better!

Hosted by the Faculty of Engineering and IT, Tech Festival brings current and prospective UTS students, academics and industry together to foster learning, inspiration, share ideas and promote innovation!​ You won't want to miss this two-week festival of events, showcases, hackathons, workshops and seminars!

AWS DeepRacer Competition

Welcome to the AWS DeepRacer Challenge hosted by the UTS Tech Festival, an autonomous racing league driven by machine learning (ML). It’s time for staff and students across universities in NSW to race for prizes and glory, and a chance to advance to the AWS DeepRacer Championship.

Get behind your keyboard for an immersive experience with AWS DeepRacer, a 1/18th scale race car. AWS DeepRacer uses Reinforcement Learning (RL) which is an advanced ML technique that takes a very different approach to training models. All builders are welcome and no prior machine learning or development experience is required to participate.

Be a part of the event by registering to build your very own machine learning vehicle and racing it on the DeepRacer track to be in the running to win some awesome AWS prizes including...

• 1st Place - Kindle White and $200 voucher
• 2nd Place - FireTV and $100 voucher
• 3rd Place - EchoPop and $75 voucher
  
  

How do I participate? 

***Please note that registrations to compete in the AWS DeepRacer Competition has now closed.***

If you would like to attend the DeepRacer to spectate, you are more than welcome to come along! Please ensure that you are registered to attend this in-person event.

Benefits of attending the DeepRacer Competition Day (besides competing) include:

• Connecting and networking with AWS & CEVO representatives,
• Gaining insights into a career with AWS,
• Learn about future engagement opportunities, 
• Participate, view and celebrate the AWS DeepRacer Competition at the UTS Campus, and
• Get Pizza!

Please ensure that you register as spots are limited. 

Timeline

• 19 June – Presentation from Adam Chew and Vanessa Lay
• 19 June – 22 June 5pm – Registration opens
• 22 June – 27 June 5pm - Virtual Race opens
• 27 June 5pm – Race closes
• 28 June – Top 10 qualifiers notified and invited to attend the in-person race at UTS City Campus on 29 June from 10am-3pm
• 29 June – In-person Race Day
  
  

Register your attendance by Wednesday 28 June 2023.

When: Thursday 29 June 2023

Where: UTS Central Foyer - University of Technology, Building 2, Level 4 Foyer (CB02.04.150)

Time: 10:00am - 3:00pm

Organiser / Sponsor: This event is hosted and sponsored by Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Supported by: Intelligent Drone Lab and Student Engagement Team at the Faculty of Engineering and IT

Please note, prizes will be awarded to UTS Students only. 

FAQs for Competitors - Got questions? We've got answers.

Do I need machine learning experience to participate?
No experience is needed! We will teach you everything you need to know.

How much does this competition cost?
Free!

What is the time commitment for this competition?
You will be required to participate in the workshop session (1.5 hours) along with training your models in your own time which can range from 2 hours to 40 hours (up to you).

Is there an age requirement?
Yes - this competition is open for 18 years of age and above.

Where can I learn more about Deep Racer?
Visit the official AWS DeepRacer page: https://aws.amazon.com/deepracer/league/

Do I need to use my own AWS Account to train my models? 
No - we will provide you with accounts to train on for this competition.

What if I can't participate in the workshop?
We will send you a few pre-recorded resources for you to catch up! We love that you can attend this live virtual workshop so you can gather as much info as needed, however, if you aren’t able to, we will be able to send the recorded session afterwards if you have registered.

Please contact Nabin.Sharma@uts.edu.au if you have any questions about this event.

UTS Tech Festival