INTERNATIONAL ROVER
DESIGN CHALLENGE - 2023

WELCOME TO IRDC

INNOVATION BEYOND LIMITS

International Rover Design Challenge (IRDC) is an online space engineering design and research competition by Space Robotics Society. It challenges university students to conceptualise and design Next-Gen Mars Rovers, which shall be fully equipped and mission ready for future astronaut-assistive exploration operations on Mars.

Teams are supposed to carefully plan each sub-system of the Rover considering various extra-terrestrial parameters in design. This online research-oriented competition is designed for students to explore their mind and spark the innovative design thinking of individuals, free from constraints on available physical resources. There will be a prize money of 1000 USD for IRDC 2023.

March – May, 2023

Venue: Online

A virtual celebration of team and technology…

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IRDC RULEBOOK - 2023

Any changes in the dates or report submission format shall be communicated to the teams. 

Key IRDC Dates & Submissions

MAR

5

IRDC Rulebook Release

Mar 5, 2023 – 04:30 pm (IST)

MAR

6

Registration Starts

Mar 6, 2023 – 06:00 pm (IST)

MAR

18

Registration Ends

Mar 18, 2023 – 06:00 pm (IST)

APR

04

Registration Window Extended

April 04, 2023 – 06:00 pm (IST)

May

6

SCR Submission

May 6, 2023 – 11:59 pm (IST)

May

13

IRDC Finals Begin

May 12, 2023 – 06:00 pm (IST)

May

14

IRDC Finals Concludes

May 14, 2023 – 06:00 pm (IST)

MAY

18

IRDC Result (Tentative)

May 18, 2023 – 07:00 pm (IST)

FAQ

Any issues not covered by these published FAQs and the Rulebook will be addressed on a case-by-case basis by the IRDC officials. If there is a discrepancy, the Rulebook will take precedence over FAQs.

There is a cash reward of 1000 USD for the winners.

Yes, there will be an application fee of 99 USD, which will be paid online. The first time participating teams will have 49 USD as the application fee.

No. There is no mandatory autonomous traversal task in the competition. However, teams may opt for Autonomous operation in any task/sub-task which may benefit from it in terms of accuracy, navigation, auto-troubleshooting etc. Teams have been given freedom to take any approach which they deem to be most effective.

The Rover may have swappable modules for carrying out different tasks. The modules shall be swapped by astronauts at the base station.

Ready To Start Your Exploration?

The registration window for third edition of International Rover Design Challenge (IRDC) will be open from August till 15 September, 2022.