The Presentation Task provides teams with the opportunity to introduce themselves and present their projects. Judges anticipate understanding the team’s project work, the technical solutions employed in the rover or software, the team’s approach to handling specific competition tasks (e.g., electro-mechanical design, algorithms), and how the team addressed challenges and learned lessons during development. Additionally, teams should be ready for a Q&A session and discussions with judges. The jury board places particular emphasis on the latter, aiming to focus more on mentoring and the growth of team members.

In the Probing Task, participants are tasked with locating three probes distributed haphazardly throughout the Marsyard. After discovering the probes, teams are required to employ onboard equipment, such as a gripper or robotic arm, to secure and transfer the probes into a designated onboard container. Participants need to be aware of the time spent, as the scoring for this task depends on the completion time.

The objective of the Maintenance Task is to exhibit the rovers’ capability in handling diverse components affixed to a dedicated panel. The team must employ the rover’s manipulating device to configure switches, measure electrical parameters, power on an electromagnetic lock, and insert an RJ-45 plug into a specified socket. ArUco markers will be positioned on the panel, enabling the robotic arm to operate autonomously. Accomplishing the task autonomously will lead to a more favorable score.

The Navigation Task consists of two subtasks. Firstly, the rover must reach five checkpoints in the “Traverse” subtask, with allowed usage of GNSS. This task is scored extra if done autonomously, with no video feedback. Secondly, in the “Droning” subtask, teams must proficiently operate a drone (off-the-shelf or self-constructed) by adhering to provided flight instructions and capturing two photos during flight. Teams employing custom-made drones may gain extra points for showcasing technical prowess. GNSS usage is allowed, and teams are expected to design full autonomy using MATLAB/Simulink in collaboration with our Partner – Mathworks.

The science task consists of three subtasks, with a common goal in mind: recreating typical scientific activities performed by the rover on the surface of Mars. Firstly, in the “Exploration and Construction” subtask, participants must conduct a scientific hypothesis checkup (incl. literature review, data analysis, scientific exploration plan, and report delivery). Secondly, in the “Surface Sampling subtask” they must collect and analyze surface samples with onboard instruments (e.g., gripper, robotic arm). Thirdly, in the “Deep (Sub-Surface) Sampling” subtask, contestants must collect and analyze drilled-out material samples with onboard instruments (e.g., drilling mechanism). The science task might also include an activity requiring cooperation between multiple teams (e.g., the construction of a wall or a passage using available material on the Marsyard).