Great start and second place for AGH Space Systems at the ERC-- AGH UST

Image of a white Martian rover; two awards in the shape of Earth, Mars, and the Moon are placed on the robot

Photograph: AGH University KSAF, N. Deyna

Great start and second place for AGH Space Systems at the ERC

09-09-2024

Three days full of struggle and emotion after months of hard work on the preparation of Kalman... Final result? The AGH Space Systems team took second place in the European Rover Challenge 2024 with 2026.5 points (out of 3000). Moreover, it is the second time in a row for the AGH University team with an additional distinction in the Navigation – Traverse category for an autonomous ride of the rover on a demanding terrain. The perfect score, 300/300 points, testifies to the excellent preparation of the team.

Nearly 70 teams applied to the challenge and 25 qualified to the finale. The finalists faced a specially prepared space imitating the surface of Mars and five complex, challenging tasks.

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 favourable score.

The Navigation Task consists of two subtasks. Firstly, the rover must reach four 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 executing an “emergency landing” at a predefined location.

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

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 check-up (incl. literature review, data analysis, scientific exploration plan, and report delivery), and construct a “wall” with available material. Secondly, in the “Surface Sampling subtask” they must collect and analyse surface samples with on-board instruments (e.g., robotic arm). Thirdly, in the “Deep (Sub-Surface) Sampling” subtask, contestants must collect and analyse drilled-out material samples with on-board instruments (e.g., drilling mechanism).

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. The task also aims to create a field for discussion and provide mentoring support in solving problems.

“Due to an enormous amount of work, effort, and time put into the development and preparation of our rover to this year’s competition, we are certain that we have done our best,” the members of AGH Space Systems said proudly. “Obtaining such a great result would not have been possible without the support we receive from the AGH University, the faculties of: Mechanical Engineering and Robotics; Electrical Engineering, Automatics, Computer Science, and Biomedical Engineering; Computer Science, Electronics, and Communications, and our unearthly sponsors and partners.”

The supervisor of AGH Space Systems is Dr Mariusz Gibiec from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics.