Four student teams from Bangladesh have secured coveted spots in the final round of the prestigious Anatolian Rover Challenge 2025, a global university-level robotics competition focused on planetary exploration. The finals are scheduled to be held this July in Ankara, Turkey, where young engineers from around the world will put their Mars rover prototypes to the ultimate test.
The event is organized by the UK-based Space Exploration Society (UKET) and brings together emerging innovators in space robotics and engineering. This year’s edition saw participation from 27 teams representing seven different countries. Following an intensive selection process based on design, innovation, and technical documentation, 18 teams from six countries were shortlisted for the finals—including four from Bangladesh.
Representing Bangladesh in the final round are the following teams:
- Team Interplanetar from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET)
- UIU Mars Rover from United International University (UIU)
- AAUB Rover-71 from Aviation and Aerospace University of Bangladesh
- GUB Mars Rover from Green University of Bangladesh (GUB)
Notably, Green University of Bangladesh is making its debut in the global space robotics scene through this competition. The university’s team has garnered attention for their resourceful design and resilient engineering approach, built with limited resources but strong ambition.
The Anatolian Rover Challenge simulates real Martian terrain challenges, testing student-built rovers across a range of tasks including autonomous navigation, soil analysis, equipment transport, and remote operations. Teams must also demonstrate strong teamwork, strategic thinking, and robust software integration.
Bangladesh’s inclusion in the finals marks a growing recognition of the country’s rising talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). In recent years, Bangladeshi students have increasingly made their mark in international tech and robotics competitions, often with limited funding but immense determination.
Preparations are currently underway as the selected teams finalize upgrades and refinements to their rover systems. With the final round only weeks away, these young engineers are focused on enhancing performance and ensuring reliability under simulated extraterrestrial conditions.
Industry experts and educators in Bangladesh have lauded the selection of these four teams as a landmark achievement that showcases the nation’s growing potential in space research and innovation. The success also reflects the impact of hands-on engineering education and collaborative problem-solving among the country’s future technologists.
As anticipation builds for the final showdown in Ankara, these student-led teams carry not only the aspirations of their respective institutions but also the pride of an entire nation eager to make its footprint in the world of planetary robotics.
