A group of students from the University of Seville, members of the VANTUS AeroDesign Team (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles of the University of Seville), has launched a crowdfunding with an innovative goal: to develop the first university autonomous flight system in Andalusia. 

This milestone is possible thanks to the support of the University of Seville and the Higher Technical School of Engineering (ETSI), which support the team in its technical training and in the development of experimental aircraft. 

Based at the ETSI (School of Engineering) of the University of Seville, VANTUS AeroDesign has competed in international tournaments, notably at the Air Cargo Challenge 2024, where they achieved 15th place worldwide out of 30 teams, competing against universities such as the Polytechnic University of Milan, the University of Washington, and the University of Sydney. Furthermore, they achieved the best debut by a Spanish team in the history of the competition, obtaining 4th place for best drawings and 12th place for best technical report. 

At XtraChallenge 2023, the team won awards for Best Technical Report and Best Blueprints, solidifying their excellence in the design and development of high-performance aircraft. Now, with the support of the University of Seville, the team faces its biggest challenge to date: developing autonomous navigation technology with advanced sensors and optimized algorithms. This will allow them to participate in cutting-edge aviation competitions and further establish the University of Seville as a leader in aerospace innovation. 

“The University of Seville and the School have provided us with the knowledge, infrastructure, and support necessary to become a leading team. Now, we want to demonstrate that Andalusian talent and university research can lead the future of aeronautics,” explains the VANTUS AeroDesign Team. 

An opportunity to promote engineering at the University of Seville 

This project reinforces the commitment of the University of Seville and the ETSI (School of Engineering) to practical training and excellence in engineering, consolidating their presence in international competitions and promoting the technological development of their students. To finance this ambitious undertaking, VANTUS AeroDesign has launched a crowdfunding campaign, offering rewards to backers, from stickers and exclusive materials to the opportunity to have their name engraved on the aircraft's structure or attend flight demonstrations.

How to support the project

The crowdfunding campaign is now underway, and anyone interested in supporting this pioneering initiative can do so through this WEBSITE.