Russian Student Becomes National Champion in Drone Programming
ITMO University student Ekaterina Kochetkova has won Russia’s national championship in drone programming, achieving a record-breaking score of 658 points and earning the title of Master of Sports.
A Rising Star in Drone Programming
Kochetkova’s victory is not just a personal triumph—it highlights the emergence of a new generation of IT specialists capable of advancing the technology behind autonomous systems. Her interest in drone programming began in high school at the renowned Zhores Alferov Physics and Technology Lyceum, where practical application of knowledge is at the core of education. Now, as a student at one of Russia’s leading technical universities, she attributes her success to strong algorithmic thinking and the ability to deconstruct complex problems into manageable steps.
Seeing Code Come to Life
The uniqueness of competitive drone programming lies in its applied nature. Participants design algorithms that control virtual drones in real-time simulation environments. This format directly prepares specialists to address real-world challenges in logistics, infrastructure monitoring, and autonomous transport systems.
For Kochetkova, the championship became a milestone in professional development. She notes that the competition’s format allows participants to not only study theory but to immediately see how their code “comes alive,” controlling a complex system. This kind of hands-on experience is invaluable for a future in high-tech industries.
A Glimpse into the Future of Transport
The growing talent pool in drone programming reflects Russia’s broader digital transformation in the transport sector. Training specialists like Kochetkova lays the groundwork for the implementation of advanced intelligent systems, which will ultimately make transport services across the country more efficient, safer, and more reliable.
