Canadian International Rover Challenge 2024
The Silesian Phoenix team, composed of students from the Silesian University of Technology, once again proved their skills and determination by participating in the prestigious Canadian International Rover Challenge (CIRC) 2024. This year’s edition saw 20 teams from around the world competing, and our team secured 8th place, a significant achievement on the international stage.
CIRC is an exceptionally demanding competition that tests both the technical abilities and mental resilience of participants. Four days of competition meant intense work, often at the expense of sleep, but the team's full commitment allowed them to successfully complete all tasks. Throughout the challenges and rivalries, they were guided by two ironic yet motivating mottos: "What could go wrong?" and "It can't be that hard." This mindset helped maintain a positive atmosphere within the team and respond flexibly to any difficulties encountered during the competition.
During the event, teams faced five tasks, each requiring a different skill set—ranging from precise rover control and environmental analysis to engineering and programming solutions. Our biggest success came in the Arm Dexterity mission, where our operators demonstrated exceptional precision in controlling the robotic arm. It was in this task that Phoenix III showcased its full potential, and the team’s skills earned them a high score.
One of the standout features that caught the attention of judges and other participants was the advanced vision system integrated into Phoenix III. With 10 cameras, the rover could precisely observe its surroundings and navigate without compromising image quality. Additionally, its innovative chassis, made almost entirely from composite materials supplied by Cosmotech, significantly reduced the rover’s weight compared to competing designs, enhancing its mobility and efficiency.
Participating in an international competition is not only a technical challenge but also a logistical and financial one. The project was co-funded by the State Budget as part of a task commissioned by the Minister of Science titled "Participation of the Silesian Phoenix team in the international Canadian Rover Challenge 2024." The granted support amounted to PLN 100,000, with the total project budget reaching PLN 175,000. These funds enabled the development of technology, refinement of the rover’s design, and coverage of competition-related expenses.
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