CIRC 2026 Competition Tasks

For information on the regulations of participating in CIRC, please see the 2026 Rules document.

Task Rubrics and Scoring

The task rubrics will be released in November.

Tasks will be scored using a rubric which will be made available to all competitors before the event. This may be useful for planning how to approach each task’s requirements and maximize scored points within the capabilities of the teams’ rovers. Individual tasks are expected to be worth 100 points each, however longer tasks may have more points allocated. Most tasks have bonus points available according to the rules, with exceptions to these bonuses explained in the specific task descriptions below.

Snack Run

Description

Mars has finally been settled! Thanks to the Cosmic Interplanetary Rations Company (CIRC) the settlement has been outfitted with a state of the art vending machine. You’ve sent out your rover with your credit cube to acquire some snacks for a party you are hosting. However, the vending machines were not properly designed to withstand the harsh Martian environment and there are no on-site technicians. You must operate and service the machine as needed to procure enough snacks to feed your party guests, otherwise the party will be lame. The party starts in just one hour so get to it!

Requirements

1. Tap your credit cube to load the machine with funds
   1. The cube will be approximately 3”x3”x3” in size and weigh less than 1kg.
   2. Each tap will load enough credits for one item. You can tap multiple times but any unused funds will result in a deduction.
2. Maneuver a transport box under the vending machine to catch dispensed items
   1. The box will be approximately 12”x12”x9” and will weigh less than 5kg fully loaded.
   2. This transport box must be brought back to the starting point by task end for full points on dispensed items.
3. Use the vending machine buttons to select items to dispense
   1. Buttons will have a pressable area of approximately 1”x1”.
   2. Some items will need to be visually identified to the judges for scoring.
4. Refer to the vending machine technician manual to service malfunctioning components. The manual will be provided in the documentation section at a future date. Servicing will include:
   1. Careful percussive maintenance
   2. Entering manufacturer bypass codes
   3. Timing button inputs
   4. Reconnecting components
   5. Manipulating handles and switches
   6. Manipulating a conductor without shorting to the chassis

Supporting Documentation

Task documentation will be provided as it is created in advance of the event.

1. Diagram of the vending machine including locations of buttons, displays, switches, and other components.
2. Diagrams of the transport box and credit cube.
3. Vending machine technician manual for servicing of the vending machine.

Heist Mission

Description

A rival mars colony has stolen an important historical artifact and you must retrieve it. However, the legal ownership of the artifact is in question, so it’s even more important that you retrieve it without being identified. Evade the security system, unlock the vault, and obtain the artifact.

Note: This task takes place at night, in the dark.

Requirements:

1. Get to the camera controls without being detected
   1. There will be a sequence of tripwires present that must be avoided
   2. A map of the area will be provided.
   3. There will be several cameras present. The cameras will have a spotlight indicating their field of view.
   4. The cameras will be moving between different locations, following a fixed pattern.
   5. The cameras will detect anything within the spotlit area, either the rover itself or light emitted from the rover shining onto the ground.
   6. Additional infrared night-vision detectors are present and will detect the usage of infrared light anywhere in the area, so only visible light illumination can be used.
   7. Navigate obstacles using lights only when safe to do so without being detected.
2. Disable the cameras
   1. There will be an access panel displaying a number of different colored wires. You must cut one of the wires to disable the cameras, consulting the camera manual to determine the correct one.
3. Identify the vault code from the security console:
   1. The security console will have a flashing LED on it.
   2. The flashing is in morse code, and contains the security console password.
   3. There will be an XLR connector with a serial port exposing a linux-like terminal.
   4. The pinout of this connector will match the ones used in previous years. (detailed pinout will be posted later)
   5. Log in with the security console password
   6. Find the vault code from inside the terminal.
4. Open the vault:
   1. There will be a morse key attached to the vault. Enter the vault code to unlock the vault.
   2. You will need to enter the code quickly for full points.
   3. Pull the door open to retrieve the artifact.
   4. Carry the artifact to the extraction point

Judges Notes

More details for how to interface the various systems will be provided later.

RoverCooked

Description

The population of Mars has exploded, and rovers are being employed all over. Your teams rover has been hired at the “Canadian Independent Roster Collective” as a line cook. Orders come in fast and the people are hungry. Your operations team will need to prioritize the orders as they come in while your rover builds the meals. Bonus are awarded for orders completed early.

Requirements

1. Build the ordered items according to the provided recipe book. The recipe booked will be released in the spring.
2. Orders will be automatically delivered to the operators via a screen in the operations tent.
3. Each order will have an active countdown to the expected delivery time. Orders can be delivered late for partial points. Orders delivered early will receive bonus points
4. Multiple orders can be active at the same time
5. Some ingredients may be used raw, and some may need additional preparation before they can be used. Preparation may include:
   1. Chopping: Break an item in 1/2
   2. Cook: place on a plate for the length of time the recipe calls for. Teams will need to keep track of time
   3. Stack: Placing different ingredients on top of each other.
   4. Flip: rotate an ingredient 180
6. Raw ingredient will be picked off tables of various heights, located between 0.4m and 1m above ground
7. Place finished orders on the designated serving area (pass), located 0.5m above ground.
8. All orders will have a cumulative weight of under 5kg
9. All food items will have a width of less 90mm or less

Note: Task will use simulated solid food. No liquids will be involved

Refreshment Delivery

Description

Several astronauts are working hard out in the field and are in need of refreshments. Your rover must cross the dangerous terrain to deliver some of the snacks you have previously acquired from the CIRC vending machine. Some of the snacks are delicate, so you must take care not to damage them on the journey!

Requirements

1. Rovers must travel across terrain and go through gates to earn points
   1. Gates will be marked by 2 poles with red flags
      1. The poles will be a minimum of 60 cm tall
      2. The poles will be a minimum of 1.5m apart
   2. The entire rover must pass through the gate to earn points
2. Your rover must carry the box of snacks at all times during the task
   1. The box will be no larger than 20cm x 15cmx 10cm and will be less than 2kg
   2. The box may be loaded and secured to the rover by the operators during set-up time.
      1. The box does not need to be loaded or unloaded by the rover
   3. The box is fragile and may be damaged if mishandled
      1. The box will be equipped with a sensor to track excessive vibration or shock during transport . Details TBD.
      2. Successfully navigating through gates without tripping the sensor will earn bonus points
3. There are 7 gates.
   1. All gates will have GPS coordinates.
   2. All gates must be visited in order.
   3. All gates must be traversed from front to back.
   4. A map and the GPS coordinates showing the locations and directions of travel will be provided during set-up time.
4. Reaching and passing through the gates will involve traversing progressively more difficult terrain and avoiding obstacles.
5. The rover may be expected to traverse obstacles such as:
   1. Steep inclines
   2. Rocky terrain
   3. Descending a vertical drop of up to 1m
      1. There will be multiple height options available
      2. Higher drops will earn more points
   4. Crossing a bridge
   5. Unstable terrain

Exploration Proposal

Description

The Committee for Investment in Research and Charting is sponsoring promising entrants for a competitive bid on an exciting new exploration project. Reaching new horizons will take a team with mission planning expertise, scientific acumen, and written communication abilities. Prove your rover has the right stuff to be a part of this exciting opportunity.

Successful rovers will possess the following capabilities: site photography, soil sample collection, and route recording. Preference will be given to teams capable of carrying out experiments on board the rover, but outstanding entrants with on-bench experiments will also be considered.

Submission form to follow.

Requirements

Field Section:

1. Travel to three sites of interest. These sites are to be selected by teams, and must be at least 10 meters apart. Teams may choose sites on any criteria they can justify in the report. Possible criteria include, but are not limited to:
   1. Signs of life
   2. Unique geological features
   3. Possible unique soil composition (carbonaceous material, minerals, etc)
   4. Possible water content
2. At each site of interest:
   1. Record the GPS coordinates
   2. Record the route taken to the site
   3. Take a panoramic photograph, including an indication of cardinal directions
   4. Take detailed photographs of the interesting features of the site, including indicators of scale.
   5. Collect a soil sample

Report Section

Three hours after leaving the site/end of time on site (whichever comes first) teams must complete the report form covering the following information:

1. Introduction
   1. Identify team and institution
   2. Name of entrant (rover)
   3. Goal of exploration
2. Exploration
   1. Planned approach to exploring the site
   2. Map of route actually taken with the following locations indicated
      1. Starting location
      2. First site of interest
      3. Second site of interest
      4. Third site of interest
      5. Other landmarks, obstacles, or other observed features
   3. Record of why the route was taken and any changes from the planned route explained.
3. Observations from each site of interest
   1. Why was the site chosen?
   2. What were the coordinates of the site
   3. What and where are the notable features of the site (referencing provided images and panorama)?
   4. Where was the sample taken?
   5. What was the sample taken from this location?
4. Experiment
   1. Explain the experimental procedure and materials used
   2. Explain the potential significance of any results
   3. Describe each sample taken:
      1. Mass
      2. Physical characteristics
      3. Observations from experiment
   4. Tabulate the results
   5. Explain the significance of the results
5. Conclusion
   1. Demonstrated capabilities
      1. Rover mobility and endurance
      2. Sensor payload
      3. Sample collection ability
   2. Value from experiment
   3. Business Plan
      1. Strategy and next steps
      2. Bid/request for investment
   4. Closing remarks