Grameenphone sponsors the BUET Team in the University Rover Challenge
A group of BUET students interested in space and are participating in the prestigious University Rover Challenge (URC) organized by the Mars Society. Grameenphone is sponsoring this team of talented youth.
Globally recognized robotics competition – University Rover Challenge is held annually in Southern Utah, USA. As part of the Mars Society initiative, the URC Challenge asks teams of students to design and build the next-generation Mars Rover, which plays a positive role in the subsequent journey to Mars. Notably, the renowned international non-profit organization Mars Society works in the field of information about Mars and exploring the possibility of human habitation on Mars.
BUET's 'Interplanetary' team will participate in the finals of the official University Rover Challenge 2023 at Hanksville of Utah, USA from May 31 to June 3 to represent Bangladesh on the international stage. The 'Interplanetary' team has developed an innovative four-wheeled rover. They named the rover 'Effort V1.0.' The rover features all-terrain autonomous travel, extreme retrieval and delivery missions, a robotic arm, and equipment to analyze soil for microorganisms and nutrients.
Grameenphone CEO Yasir Azman said, 'I am excited about this journey of Team Interplanetary. This effort of theirs has literally crossed the borders of the world and overcome the obstacles in the attempt to know the universe and has brought a new reputation for Bangladesh. Their enthusiasm and hard work is an example of our indomitable young society. And their victory is in a sense the victory of the whole of Bangladesh. Interplanetary represents our youth's ability to overcome any obstacle, their spirit of adventure and potential ahead gives me hope and I am sure it will inspire our youth to conquer new horizons. It is my great pride and joy that Grameenphone has been a part of this triumphant journey of mankind to Mars.'
Team Interplanetary has already gained recognition in various international competitions around the world. Their notable achievements include finishing eighth worldwide at the European Rover Challenge (ERC) 2022, placing them as the top team outside of Europe in the competition. Besides, they placed fourth in the remote edition of ERC 2022, placed fifth in the University Rover Challenge 2016 held in the United States, received the Innovation Award in the International Planetary Aerial Systems Challenge, placed eleventh in the remote edition of ERC 2021, ERC 2019 16th in 2018 and 13th position globally (2nd in South Asia) in ERC 2020. Grameenphone continues to work towards increasing interest in innovation and education among the youth. Besides, Grameenphone is playing an important role in its mission as a whole – building a digital technology-based Bangladesh. It is expected that the demonstration of Endeavor V1.0 will showcase the excellence of using state-of-the-art technology in rover vessels. Grameenphone, Smart Bangladesh's connectivity partner, believes the success of Interplanetary will inspire more youth in the country and increase their engagement with robotics and technology.
