/> The OSU Robotics Club Rover Team won first prize in 2010 at the University Rover Challenge a competition organized by the Mars Society and held annually at their base in Hanksville, UT.

The team and competition promotes education in science, technology, engineering and math for University Students, along with team work and collaboration. Judging is based on four criteria including Sample Return Task, Construction Task, Emergency Navigation Task and Site and Survey Task. To learn more about these judging criteria, please click the following link: http://oregonstate.edu/groups/osurc/urc/competition.php.

Team Lead of the OSU Robotics Club Rover Team Florian Kapsenberg said, Our team opted to use Atmel AVR microcontrollers since these devices provide an optimal mix of excellent peripherals, a familiar open source software toolchain, and are top-notch for processing power in their class.

Atmel supports science, math and engineering programs through the Atmel University Program to promote next-generation innovation, said Jeff Erhart, director of channel marketing and university programs, Atmel Corporation. The OSU Mars Rover Program is a great example of our partnership with a university that supports our goals in science, math and engineering through collaboration and teamwork.

The 2011 OSU Mars Rover uses Atmel XMEGA® microcontrollers as the RS-485 bus architecture. The navigation and orientation feedback systems use a Garmin GPS receiver and two 3-axis accelerometers, while the control modules for the video systems, motors, and arm are custom designed by Oregon State students. Additionally, the on-board computer has been replaced (from the 2010 design) with an AVR® XMEGA microcontroller. The XMEGA communicates with the satellite modules spread around the rover, forwarding commands sent from the base station and sending status reports back to base. These status reports include information on rover temperature, module failures, battery health, and more.