In December, 2015 a record 63 teams from 12 countries set out to design and build the world’s top Mars rover. Now 30 teams have advanced past the Critical Design Review (CDR) stage of the University Rover Challenge and will compete in the field competition, being held June 2-4, 2016 at the Mars Society’s Mars Desert Research Station in southern Utah.
During the CDR process a panel of judges reviewed technical reports and video submissions from each of the teams. Judges were unanimously surprised at the extraordinary quality of teams and their rovers. The students, who have devoted countless hours to their projects throughout the academic year, put their passion on full display in their submissions.
The 2016 rendition of the URC contest introduces the first ever Semi-Final round of competition. On the first day, teams will race for the fastest time in a “short course” event that tests rovers’ maneuvrability and dexterity in the Mars-like terrain of the Utah desert, in addition to the student team’s scientific knowledge. The top 15 teams will advance to the Ares Finals and compete in a variety of tasks for the top overall spot. The remaining teams will then advance to the Phobos Finals for an equally exciting competition.
Meanwhile, don’t forget that the registration for the prestigious European Rover Challenge (ERC) is still open. The deadline for submitting applications closes in 10 days on March 31. This year for all participants the ERC organizers have prepared mentoring workshops (dedicated especially for rover team members), lectures with special guests, and science and technology exhibits which will promote commercialization of the space sector.
ERC is the biggest space robotics event in Europe. Along with the University Rover Challenge and recently announced United Kingdom University Rover Challenge (UKURC), ERC is part of the Rover Challenge Series.
Source: URC Mars Society
More information on: European Rover Challenge
Photo © Anna Karahan