How to Participate in the Game of Drones Competition at NeurIPS 2019

The Game of Drones competition, held at NeurIPS 2019, provided a thrilling platform for drone enthusiasts to test their skills in an exciting environment. Though the original repository is no longer maintained, there are still ways to participate using the available resources from AirSim Drone Racing Lab. In this article, we will guide you through the process of participating in the competition and troubleshooting any issues that may arise during your experience.

Quickstart Guide

To kick off your participation, check out the following important links:

• Website
• Register
• Competition Guidelines
• Linux and Windows Binaries
• Python API
• airsimneurips PyPI Package

Setting Up Your Environment

Follow these steps to download and run the AirSim binaries:

1. Downloading AirSim Binaries

Here’s how to set everything up quickly:

• Final Round Binaries (v1.1)
• For Linux, use the download_final_round_binaries.sh script.
• For Windows, download the AirSim.zip, unzip it and follow the instructions.
• Qualifier Binaries (v1.0)
• For Linux, use the download_qualification_binaries.sh script.
• Training Binaries (v0.3)
• For Linux, use the download_training_binaries.sh script.

2. Running the Environment

After setting up, you can run the binaries by following these commands according to your operating system:

• Linux:
• Open a terminal and change into the AirSim directory, then enter: ./AirSimExe.sh -windowed -opengl4
• Windows:
• Navigate to the AirSim directory and double-click run.bat (or AirSimExe.exe -windowed).

Understanding the Code – A Journey Through Drone Racing

The code provided in this repository acts as a roadmap for making your drone the best in the race. Imagine navigating a maze; every path you take leads you closer to the finish line but also poses challenges. Each function in your code serves to control various aspects of the race, just like the different turns, accelerations, and strategies a driver would employ in a race car.

Example of how to control your drone:

To get going with the drone actions:

python airsim_client.simLoadLevel(Qualifier_Tier_1)
airsim_client.simStartRace(race_tier=1)

This snippet works like locking in your GPS and starting your journey through the maze. You select a track (level) and command your drone to start racing, ensuring it navigates through obstacles and challenges just as you would in a real-life race.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

When working with AirSim and participating in such competitions, you may run into a few bumps on your journey. Here are some common troubleshooting ideas:

• Ensure all binaries and pak files are correctly placed following the installation instructions.
• If you’re facing performance issues, consider adjusting the rendering settings via `settings.json` to get smoother visuals.
• For any API troubles, verify that you’re using compatible versions of Python (3.6 is recommended).
• If problems persist, check the Github repository for similar issues others have encountered and resolved.
• Finally, for more insights, updates, or to collaborate on AI development projects, stay connected with fxis.ai.

Conclusion

Participating in the Game of Drones at NeurIPS 2019 can be an exciting journey into the world of drone racing and AI. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll set yourself up for success. So rev up your engines and let your drones soar through the competition!

At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.