Competitions
As a team dedicated to constantly improving our skill set, our goal is to compete against some of the best rover teams from around the world.
University Rover Challenge
The University Rover Challenge (URC) is an annual robotics competition for university students hosted by The Mars Society. The competition challenges teams of undergraduate and graduate students to design, build, and operate a Mars rover prototype that can perform a series of tasks designed to simulate the conditions and challenges that a real rover might face on Mars.
The competition takes place in the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah, USA, which is a simulated Martian environment that replicates many of the geological features and conditions found on Mars. The tasks that the rovers are required to complete include navigating through rough terrain, collecting and analyzing soil samples, identifying and avoiding obstacles, and communicating with a remote control centre.
The competition has a strong focus on scientific research and exploration, and participants are judged not only on their rover’s technical capabilities but also on the quality and relevance of their research projects. The URC provides a unique opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in robotics, engineering, and space exploration, and to network with professionals in the industry.
Canadian International Rover Challenge
The Canadian International Rover Challenge (CIRC) is an annual robotics competition for university and college students that takes place in Ontario, Canada. Like the University Rover Challenge, the CIRC challenges teams of students to design, build, and operate a rover prototype that can perform a variety of tasks related to exploring and investigating the surface of Mars.
The CIRC competition includes a number of different challenges that test the rover’s capabilities in areas such as mobility, sample collection and analysis, and communication with a remote control centre. The challenges take place in a simulated Martian environment that includes rocky terrain, sand dunes, and other features designed to replicate the conditions on Mars.
The CIRC also has a strong emphasis on scientific research and exploration, and participants are judged not only on their rover’s technical performance but also on the quality and relevance of their research projects. The competition provides students with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in robotics and space exploration, and to network with professionals in the field.