The 11th edition of the European Rover Challenge will take place at the end of August at AGH!
The AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow will host the prestigious ERC competition for the second time. Małopolska is a regional partner of this event. Join us on August 29-31!
At the end of August, the eyes of the world of science and new technologies will turn towards Krakow, which will once again host the European Rover Challenge, the largest international Mars robot competition held in both stationary and remote formats. They are organised by the European Space Foundation and the AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow.
The ERC is a three-day event, open to the public free of charge, that will once again bring together the international scientific, educational, and business communities. The program will include an interdisciplinary conference with experts from global organizations involved in the space industry, including ispace Europe, the International Astronautical Federation, and the Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences.
"The European Rover Challenge is, above all, a platform that integrates science, technology, and education in a practical way. Every year, we see the enormous potential of young engineers from around the world, and that's precisely what we want to support. In each edition, we pay special attention to the realism of tasks inspired by real planetary missions, so that participants can compete while simultaneously developing the skills they will need in the future in the space sector. This year, we will also introduce a new astrobiology competition. It will involve detecting and verifying whether life and the chemical compounds necessary for its formation could have once existed in a given location," explains Marcin Wygachiewicz, Chief Judge of the ERC, PSPA competition.
Over its decade-long history, this competition has become one of the most prestigious events in the world of robotics and space exploration, attracting interest from space enthusiasts, industry professionals, and global space agencies alike. Twenty-five rovers selected from 102 registered teams will participate in the in-person event. Additionally, teams will join them in a remote competition. Young engineers and scientists from Poland, Spain, Denmark, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, India, Egypt, and Turkey will compete. Of particular note is the fact that among the 25 teams from 12 different countries competing in this year's competition, five are from Poland, including the AGH University of Science and Technology!
What's on the agenda?
The rovers built by the participants will compete in five events testing their skills in navigation, marking, and soil sampling, as well as the technological prowess of the rovers themselves. The arena for their competition will be the Marsyard, a 900-square-meter facility created especially for this event.
A scientific conference will be held in parallel with the competition, during which you will have the opportunity to listen to specialists from global space agencies and companies who will talk about, among other things, the future of space exploration, future plans for the Moon and Mars, and show how space technologies influence everyday life on Earth.
The event will also be a meeting place for business representatives and investors interested in the space industry. The European Rover Challenge will feature 1-to-1 business/startup meetings. This will provide early-stage startups with support in preparing for meetings with investors and corporations, enhancing their ability to attract equity funding and establish partnerships. You will soon be able to register for a one-on-one meeting at this link.
All those who visit the AGH premises during the September competition will also have access to an exhibition zone and attractions, available free of charge and prepared for everyone, regardless of age.
The ERC 2025 competition continues a long-standing mission to popularize science and support young talent in the field of aerospace engineering. Over the past decade, the event has gained international renown and is considered one of the largest of its kind in the world. Its success is due to the commitment of the organizers and partners, as well as the unparalleled passion and determination of hundreds of young engineers who come to Poland each year to test their designs and gain global-level experience.
