About the challenge

A vital tool to help understand what lies beneath the earth’s surface are subsurface surveys. These surveys help measure the physical differences between rock types or physical discontinuities without the need for digging, drilling or tunneling. 

The technology has a myriad of applications from ensuring that infrastructure such as dams, bridges, windmills, and tunnels are safe in helping scientists understand and, perhaps in the future, even predict earthquakes

Geophysical surveys are extensively used for oil and natural gas exploration, but alongside this they are valuable tools in developing new sources of energy and natural resources. Digital advancements in geophysical technology driven by data analytics, robotics, machine learning, and advanced visualization technologies are opening new avenues for understanding the planet we live on.

Who can apply to the challenge

Technical students have an opportunity to be part of the solution by entering the one-day Aramco Tech Quest. Preferably, they have background studies in either of the following specializations: data automation, drones, robotics, data analytics, earth sciences, geosciences and (or) imaging physics.

This free to enter challenge gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their creativity in using subsurface surveying.

What you win

I. The winning team will win €2,000 cash 

II. Earn entry to Co-Lab: a half-day event workshop on entrepreneurship where you can meet start-up leaders.

III. Coaching hour with YES!Delft team member.

Application Process

• Register individually free of charge for the Aramco Tech Quest before 25th of October and you will be in with a chance of winning the €2,000 prize 
• We will form the teams, taking into account your multi-disciplinary backgrounds.
• There are limited spots and only 6 teams will make it into the challenge!
• You will end up being part of a 3-4 people team which you will be aware of two weeks prior the event. 

Schedule of the challenge day

• On the 14th of November, at the start of the day, you and your team will receive an introduction to subsurface surveying with experts from the industry explaining the key parameters such as quality of acquired data, cost, safety, logistics and environmental impact.
• Armed with that information teams will be set a challenge to bring innovative ideas to the problem by combining data automation, drones and robotics, data and analytics along with earth science, geosciences, and imaging physics to develop new ideas.
• There will be mentors available for all the teams and answer questions. 
• The six teams will also receive a workshop on pitching, in order to present their  ideas in an efficient way to the jury of experts. 
• The teams will  be presenting the solution at the end of the day to a jury that will judge the solution on innovation, creativity and applicability.
• A dinner will be enjoyed by all participants, mentors, jury members and celebrate the ideas.