From September 6th to 8th the AGH University of Science and Technology in Cracow will host the 10th edition of the European Rover Challenge. The international space robotics event includes a Martian robot competition, a STEM exhibit and a conference on space exploration.
The rover competitions will take place in a specially created space reflecting the surface of Mars on the AGH grounds, known as the Mars Yard.
Parallel to the rover competition, the ERC will organize a popular science conference with participation of specialists from global space agencies and companies. Experts will talk about the future of space exploration, settlement plans and show the impact of space technologies on everyday life on Earth. The lectures will be accompanied by workshops for schools, among others, meetings of investors with representatives of startups, as well as exhibitions with stands of companies, universities or science clubs.
Source: www.roverchallenge.eu
Thanks to a partnership with the European Union Space Program Agency (EUSPA), this edition of the ERC will also feature one of eight European meetings of the ASSINI Matchmaking networking platform, which supports space startups.
The organizers of the 10th edition of the European Rover Challenge are the European Space Foundation and the AGH University of Science and Technology in Cracow.
The event is held under the honorary patronage of the Minister of Education, the European Space Agency (ESA), the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), the Deputy Marshal of the Małopolska Region and the Space Sector Employers Association. The project is financed by funds from the state budget granted by the Minister of Education and Science under the “Social Responsibility of Science II” Program. Partners of the event are CASSINI Matchmaking, the U.S. Consulate General in Cracow, Mars Society Poland, the Association of Polish Space Sector Professionals (PSPA), MathWorks, 3Dconnexion, Pyramid Games, Peace Patrol, Empiria and Knowledge Foundation and the Business in Małopolska Center with financial support from the Małopolska Region. A supporting partner in the construction of Mars Yard is the Porphyry and Diabase Mines Company.
The European Rover Challenge (ERC) is an annual international competition of Martian robots, with participation of teams from all over the world. The competition, like the University Rover Challenge, is part of the Rover Challenge Series – a league of the world’s most prestigious robotics competitions. The ERC is also the largest space robotics event in Europe aimed at the world of science and business, the new technology sector and the general public. The competition has been held annually in Poland since 2014. For more information on the ERC, visit www.roverchallenge.eu.
