Instructables’ and Shapeways’ New Drone Contest is Giving Away iPads, GoPros and Bionic Birds. Oh My.

Online educational maker project repository Instructables is teaming up with 3D printing service provider Shapeways for yet another design contest. This time around Instructables users are being asked to create step-by-step drone-related projects that will impress the judges and wow the Instructables community. The contest is open to brand new projects or existing drone projects that have already been uploaded. The contest runs from August 8th until October 3rd, 2016 and is open to any Instructables user, and they can enter multiple entries, however only one of their projects may be selected as a winner. The contest is suitable for virtually any drone project, and thankfully Instructables entry guidelines are exceptionally broad.

“We’re defining a drone as a powered, aerial vehicle that does not carry a human operator and can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely. Any drone-related project is eligible, so get cracking on your entry today.” – Instructables

To enter, users must create their step-by-step guide and upload it to Instructables using their desktop project builder, through their iOS app or their Windows app. If users are uploading a new project, then once it has been uploaded open contest checkboxes will appear next to it. Simply select the appropriate contest and it will be officially entered within 24 hours. If you have existing projects that are eligible then simply hit the “Enter” button on the contest page to add your projects to the contest. (Note: in order for an existing project that has already been uploaded to Instructables to be eligible it must have been uploaded after the start of the contest, August 8, 2016.)

All entries can and will be publicly voted on by the Instructables community for the entire duration of the contest as well as 3 days after the contest ends on October 3rd. The projects will then be evaluated by the judging panel made up of Instructables staff and select community members. All of the judges will rate each project based on clarity, ingenuity, creativity, the quality of the presentation, and the execution of the Instructable. The best rated projects will be selected as the winning entries and announced on the contest page.

A selection of the current contest entries.

As usual with Instructables design contests, there are some fantastic prizes up for grabs. In total 1 Grand Prize winner, 3 First Prize winners, 5 Second Prize winners and 15 Runners Up will be selected. Each winner will receive an Instructables prize pack that will include a t-shirt or a stainless steel mug with the Instructables robot logo on it. The Grand Prize winner will receive a brand new iPad Pro, the First Prize winners will each win a GoPro HERO4 Black Edition, and the Second Prize winners will each win a Bionic Bird drone that can be controlled using an app on a smartphone.

The Instructables and Shapeways Drone Design Contest opened on August 8th and will end on October 3rd. All entries must be uploaded no later than 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on October 3rd, however users may receive notification of acceptance after that deadline. You can learn more about the contest, read the official rules and submit your entry for consideration over on Instructables. Discuss further in the Instructables 3D Design Contest forum over at 3DPB.com.