ETH Students Build Mars Rover for International Competition

(CONNECT) CRATER, the student-run space robotics association at ETH, will participate in the European Rover Challenge 2026 for the first time with a rover and a drone designed for Mars missions. Their goal: to become the best newcomer team.

The international competition will take place in Kraków, Poland, from 4 to 6 September 2026. According to the organisers, 124 teams from 29 countries, with a total of 3,756 participants, have registered for the event. Turkey has the most teams, with 22.

More than 70 ETH students from over ten departments at their university are testing the limits of autonomous robotics in eight subgroups. Their rover and drone must successfully complete three major challenges in Krakow, which, according to a press release, are also relevant to Mars missions. Topic 1 is maintenance, which relies on precision manipulation and autonomous decision-making. The robotic arm, autonomous interaction, and switching operations play a crucial role in this process.

Topic 2 is Exploration and Drilling. During field surveys, samples will be collected not only from the surface but also from deeper layers, as well as for astrobiology. Topic 3 covers GPS-free navigation and drones. This involves autonomous navigation, landmark detection, and flying through an obstacle course.

CRATER is already looking for new members for the coming year. The desired skills include project management, systems engineering, coaching, astrobiology, and business matters. In addition, the team also needs specialists in robotic arms, navigation and control, propulsion systems, and autonomous drones. ce/mm