The Romanian Space Agency (ROSA) invites university students to apply for the first ever Robotics Workshop, organised by ESA’s Education Office together with experts from the ESA Planetary Robotics Lab, which will take place from 7 to 10 November 2022 at the ESA Education Training Centre, ESEC-Galaxia, Transinne, Belgium. The deadline for applications is 6 September 2022.

The present and future missions of Mars exploration are the inspiration behind the Robotics Workshop. Over four days, participating students will delve into the design and operation of a planetary exploration robotic vehicle based on the European rover that will be sent to investigate the surface of the red planet.

Particular attention will be given to software, starting with installing basic components of Linux and ROS (Robot Operating System). Students will then study the locomotion system, developing algorithms that will allow the robot to move. Finally, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence will be utilised to grant the capability of recognising specific objects on the surface of Mars.

Upon completion of the Workshop, students will be evaluated via a group project, and will receive a certificate of participation and course transcript, allowing them to request ECTS credit(s) from their respective universities.

Students who apply must be aged minimum 18 years old, have no or limited professional experience in relevant scientific, engineering, or other space-related topics, be a citizen of an ESA Member State, Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta and Slovenia, be enrolled as a Bachelor student (second year or above) in a university for the academic year 2022-2023 and be studying an engineering or science subject (with general knowledge in programming).

More details here.

Image credit: ESA