The Colorado Robotics Challenge
NASA's Colorado Space Grant Consortium Presents: The Colorado Robotics Challenge
The Colorado Robotics Challenge is open to student teams at COSGC affiliate institutions. Student teams are invited to build and test their unique, autonomous rover design. Teams bring their rover to the Challenge in April and test their capabilities on the Martian Analog Courses at the Great Sand Dunes National Park April 11, 2026 for the annual challenge!
Teams are encouraged to begin work on their autonomous robots in the fall semester.Ìý A Conceptual Design Review will be presented by participating teams in November 2025. See the Challenge Timeline below for more information.
Robotics Challenge Deliverables
Robotics teams will participate in the design review process, leading up to bringing their rover to the Dunes on April 11. Teams will submit a final video, highlighting the design and functionality of their rover by April 18.Ìý
If you have any questions please email barbra.sobhani@colorado.edu
Background Information
Who can participate?ÌýThe event is open to any student at a COSGC affiliate institution. If you are a student at a COSGC school and interested in participating in the challenge, please contact theÌýaffiliate director at your school.Ìý
Design Challenge OverviewÌý
Challenge Categories
- Best OverallÌý< 1.5kg
- Best Overall > 1.5kg
- Mars Sojourner Award
- Mars Spirit Award
- Mars Opportunity Award
- Outstanding Navigation
- Creative Locomotion
- Best Bioinspired Design
- Best Advanced Autonomy
- Attention to Detail
Virtual Robotics Workshop
The COSGC Robotics Workshop this year is a self-paced virtual workshop:
Design Review Sign Up - coming soon
2025 Agenda - 2026 Agenda coming soon!
2025 - 2026 Timeline
Event | Fall 2025 | Spring 2026* |
| Kickoff Telecon | September 12 @2:00 pm | January |
| Conceptual Design Review (CoDR) | November 17 - 20 | January |
| Preliminary Design Review (PDR) | N/A | February 10 - 14 |
| Critical Design Review (CDR) | N/A | March 30 - April 2 |
| Pre-Event Meet up at Adams State University | N/A | April 10 |
| Robotics Challenge at the Great Sand Dunes!! | N/A | April 11 |
| Final Video Submission Due | N/A | April 18 |
Design Review Slide Templates
Ìý
2025 Robotics Gallery
