The Microtransat Challenge is a competition to design and build a sailboat under 2.4 meters[1] in length capable of crossing the Atlantic Ocean without human interaction.
[2][3] The challenge was originally conceived in 2005 by Mark Neal of Aberystwyth University and Yves Briere of ISAE.
According to the organizers, the goal of the challenge is to contribute to ocean-monitoring platforms, as well as provide a learning opportunity.
[1] Competitors can begin whenever they wish,[5] but rules specify that boats should report their position to competition organizers at least once every six hours.
The vehicle was deployed from Newfoundland on June 7, 2018, and arrived off the coast of Ireland 79 days later, on August 26, 2018.