Topcoder Skill Builder Competition - QGroundControl System - Initial Setup

Challenge Introduction

Welcome to our Topcoder Skill Builder Competition QGroundControl These competitions are designed for everyone to skill up, have fun, get ready for exciting work coming on the platform and earn more money through Topcoder Gigs and Competitions. Jump-in, build your skills and get ready for the exciting NASA Challenge Series coming your way!

We are beginning a long term series of challenges to create a new version of a ground control system for small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS; i.e., drones) based on QGroundControl. The ground control system will allow the UASs to be safely used for live flight operations while also providing the functionality necessary for researching advanced algorithms and human-automation teaming concepts.

Prizes

Throughout the series, starting Sept 29th this challenge will be launched every week for the next 4 weeks, giving enough time to many members to get a chance to get started with QGroundControl. Every week $25 will be awarded to the 5 submitters using a random draw. Your submission will only be considered once throughout the weekly reruns across the next four week. Which means once you have been considered for a random draw and If you submit again in the subsequent reruns, you will not be considered for the draw.

Objective 

The main goal of this challenge is for you to learn about QGroundControl and PX4 autopilot simulation. QGroundControl is developed in C++ and QT QML for its frontend. See the Scoring guidelines for more details. 

Technology and Frameworks

• QGroundControl
  • C++
  • QT
  • QT QML
• PX4 simulator
• MAVLINK

Links and Resources

1. http://qgroundcontrol.com/
2. https://dev.qgroundcontrol.com/en/
3. https://docs.qgroundcontrol.com/master/en/index.html
4. https://docs.px4.io/en/
5. https://dev.px4.io/en/
6. https://dev.px4.io/v1.9.0/en/simulation/
7. https://doc.qt.io/qt-5/qtqml-index.html

Individual Requirements

You have to:

• Setup QGroundControl from source - 
  • https://dev.qgroundcontrol.com/en/
• Target OS is Windows 10. Although QGroundControl works on Mac and Linux, those OSs won't be accepted
• Connect a PX4 autopilot simulator (https://dev.px4.io/v1.9.0/en/simulation/) to QGroundControl and show a simulated flight taking place

Scoring Guidelines

• The submission must consist of a video (screencast)
  • Google Drive link <- preferred method
  • Unlisted Youtube
  • Directly submitted to Topcoder system (depending of the size that won't be possible) 
• The video must show the compilation of the application, running the QGroundControl, starting the PX4 simulator and the simulated flight inside QGroundControl
  • There must have proof in the video that you are running in a Windows 10 machine
• Optional: text file with any deviation needed from the provided documentation to build and deploy from source
• The submission can either pass or fail review (yes or no only)
• The winners will be selected randomly from the passing submissions

Final Submission Guidelines

• Link to the video or the video itself
• Optional: text file with any deviation needed from the provided documentation to build and deploy from source