We Design the Next

Generation Of Rovers

About Us

University at Buffalo Space Bulls is a diverse group of multidisciplinary undergraduate and graduate students passionate about researching, designing, and building the next generation of rovers.

The Challenge

The University Rover Challenge (URC) is the world’s leading robotics competition for college students, held annually in the rugged deserts of southern Utah, USA. Since its inception in 2006, the URC has become a global stage for the brightest student teams to design and build cutting-edge Mars rovers capable of assisting astronauts.

Each summer, teams tackle five equally weighted tasks—Extreme Retrieval and Delivery, Equipment Servicing, Autonomous Navigation, Science, and a System Acceptance Review—designed to push the boundaries of engineering and science. From navigating challenging terrain to detecting signs of life in soil samples, these tasks mirror the real-world demands of NASA’s rovers, making the URC a premier proving ground for innovation, ingenuity, and future exploration.

How We Work

UB Space Bulls is split into 6 sub teams to design our novel rovers:

Arm

Designing and fabricating a robotic arm with multiple degrees of freedom for lifting objects, flipping switches, and more

Science

Developing tests to analyze soil, rocks. and other samples to test for indicators of life

Software

Develops code for autonomous mission, perception, and interface between the rover and operator

Mechanical

Creating a lightweight and sturdy structure to traverse rough terrain and house other subsystems

Drone

Aiding rover operations and tasks utilizing a custom build drone

Operations

Create all promotional material for the team including presentations, flyers, websites, and more

How You Can Help