<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><feed xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" ><generator uri="https://jekyllrb.com/" version="3.10.0">Jekyll</generator><link href="https://circ.cstag.ca/feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" /><link href="https://circ.cstag.ca/" rel="alternate" type="text/html" /><updated>2026-03-02T19:37:43-06:00</updated><id>https://circ.cstag.ca/feed.xml</id><title type="html">Canadian International Rover Challenge</title><subtitle>Official website of the Canadian International Rover Challenge event</subtitle><entry><title type="html">Two CIRC Challenges in 2024</title><link href="https://circ.cstag.ca/news/Two-CIRC-Challenges-in-2024/" rel="alternate" type="text/html" title="Two CIRC Challenges in 2024" /><published>2024-03-01T00:00:00-06:00</published><updated>2024-03-01T00:00:00-06:00</updated><id>https://circ.cstag.ca/news/Two-CIRC-Challenges-in-2024</id><content type="html" xml:base="https://circ.cstag.ca/news/Two-CIRC-Challenges-in-2024/"><![CDATA[<p>Congratulations to Northeastern University Mars Rover (NUROVER) for their 1st place finish at the first Winter Edition of the Canadian International Rover Challenge, hosted in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Find the full results are at <a href="/2024-winter/results">this link</a>.</p>

<p>The competition season will continue in August with the 2024 summer challenge, as always hosted in Drumheller, Alberta. Competition teams can register their interest <a href="/2024/signup">here</a>, and companies interested in sponsorship can find details <a href="/2024/supporters">here</a>.</p>]]></content><author><name></name></author><category term="News" /><category term="announcement" /><category term="CIRC 2024" /><category term="CIRC 2024 Winter" /><summary type="html"><![CDATA[Congratulations to Northeastern University Mars Rover (NUROVER) for their 1st place finish at the first Winter Edition of the Canadian International Rover Challenge, hosted in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Find the full results are at this link.]]></summary></entry><entry><title type="html">Announcing CIRC 2023 and Beyond</title><link href="https://circ.cstag.ca/news/Announcing-CIRC-2023-and-Beyond/" rel="alternate" type="text/html" title="Announcing CIRC 2023 and Beyond" /><published>2022-09-22T00:00:00-06:00</published><updated>2022-09-22T00:00:00-06:00</updated><id>https://circ.cstag.ca/news/Announcing-CIRC-2023-and-Beyond</id><content type="html" xml:base="https://circ.cstag.ca/news/Announcing-CIRC-2023-and-Beyond/"><![CDATA[<p>We are excited to announce two CIRC events. The 2023 Summer challenge located in Drumheller, AB. occurring August 11-14, 2023. Teams can express their interest in participating <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1q1fB6scoq92aiLuqh-DrOt8n6pQOfEftY3aXo-4GeJk">using this link</a> or at the <a href="/2023/signup/">sign-up page</a>! Invitations will begin going out in late 2022. The rules will be updated shortly, previous events will offer a good guide to what you can expect this year to look like.</p>

<p>In addition to this we are announcing the 2024 Winter Challenge to occur the third week of February 2024. Further details regarding this event will be shared over the coming months.</p>]]></content><author><name></name></author><category term="News" /><category term="announcement" /><category term="CIRC 2023" /><summary type="html"><![CDATA[We are excited to announce two CIRC events. The 2023 Summer challenge located in Drumheller, AB. occurring August 11-14, 2023. Teams can express their interest in participating using this link or at the sign-up page! Invitations will begin going out in late 2022. The rules will be updated shortly, previous events will offer a good guide to what you can expect this year to look like.]]></summary></entry><entry><title type="html">CIRC 2022 Winter Cancellation</title><link href="https://circ.cstag.ca/news/CIRC-2022-Winter-Cancellation/" rel="alternate" type="text/html" title="CIRC 2022 Winter Cancellation" /><published>2022-01-09T00:00:00-06:00</published><updated>2022-01-09T00:00:00-06:00</updated><id>https://circ.cstag.ca/news/CIRC-2022-Winter-Cancellation</id><content type="html" xml:base="https://circ.cstag.ca/news/CIRC-2022-Winter-Cancellation/"><![CDATA[<p>We are sad to announce that the upcoming Winter 2022 event has been cancelled.  With many teams not able to attend due to university policy and being unable to work on their rover, plus the new challenges facing us with the ongoing COVID-1 pandemic, it all means that it doesn’t make sense to hold a winter event this year.</p>

<p>We are already planning on holding a winter event next year. Make sure to check our website for updates on that as we move forward. You can tentatively plan for the same week in February 2023.</p>

<p>Teams that have paid the registration fee for the winter event will be refunded.</p>

<h1 id="circ-summer-2022-august-12-15-2022">CIRC Summer 2022: August 12-15 2022</h1>

<p>The Summer 2022 event is still proceeding as planned! Make sure to register for that event if you haven’t already. The small 2021 event was a success many teams should be able to attend.</p>

<p>Sign up at: <a href="https://circ.cstag.ca/2022/signup/">https://circ.cstag.ca/2022/signup/</a></p>

<p>For more information on the event see the main event page <a href="https://circ.cstag.ca/2022">https://circ.cstag.ca/2022</a></p>

<p>Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns by reaching out at contact@cstag.ca.</p>]]></content><author><name></name></author><category term="News" /><category term="announcement" /><category term="CIRC 2022" /><summary type="html"><![CDATA[We are sad to announce that the upcoming Winter 2022 event has been cancelled. With many teams not able to attend due to university policy and being unable to work on their rover, plus the new challenges facing us with the ongoing COVID-1 pandemic, it all means that it doesn’t make sense to hold a winter event this year.]]></summary></entry><entry><title type="html">CIRC 2022 Announced</title><link href="https://circ.cstag.ca/news/CIRC-2022-Announced/" rel="alternate" type="text/html" title="CIRC 2022 Announced" /><published>2021-11-03T00:00:00-06:00</published><updated>2021-11-03T00:00:00-06:00</updated><id>https://circ.cstag.ca/news/CIRC-2022-Announced</id><content type="html" xml:base="https://circ.cstag.ca/news/CIRC-2022-Announced/"><![CDATA[<p>Join student teams from Canada and around the world this February and August to show off your engineering skills, compete in unique challenges, and build towards a future on Mars and beyond! Competitions take place in the badlands of Drumheller AB and the harsh winter of Saskatoon SK where terrain and weather will prove an interesting challenge to any rover.</p>

<p>Presented by our title sponsor: Protocase</p>

<h1 id="circ-winter-2022-february-2022">CIRC Winter 2022: February 2022</h1>

<p>The first winter rover challenge will take place in Saskatoon SK over 3 days between February 19-26. This is a small trial event, participation by invitation.</p>

<p>Sign up right away if your team is interested: <a href="https://circ.cstag.ca/2022-winter/signup/">https://circ.cstag.ca/2022-winter/signup/</a></p>

<h1 id="circ-summer-2022-august-12-15-2022">CIRC Summer 2022: August 12-15 2022</h1>

<p>The main event of 2022 will take place in Drumheller AB. Rules and tasks will be very similar to the 2021 competition with some minor tweaks for those that attended 2021. Check out the rules from last year for a good idea of what to expect.</p>

<p>Sign up at: <a href="https://circ.cstag.ca/2022/signup/">https://circ.cstag.ca/2022/signup/</a></p>

<p>Visit circ.cstag.ca for more information.  Reach out to us at contact@cstag.ca if you have any questions for concerns.</p>]]></content><author><name></name></author><category term="News" /><category term="announcement" /><category term="CIRC 2022" /><summary type="html"><![CDATA[Join student teams from Canada and around the world this February and August to show off your engineering skills, compete in unique challenges, and build towards a future on Mars and beyond! Competitions take place in the badlands of Drumheller AB and the harsh winter of Saskatoon SK where terrain and weather will prove an interesting challenge to any rover.]]></summary></entry><entry><title type="html">CIRC 2021 Covid-19 Precaution Measures</title><link href="https://circ.cstag.ca/news/CIRC-2021-COVID-Precautions/" rel="alternate" type="text/html" title="CIRC 2021 Covid-19 Precaution Measures" /><published>2021-06-17T00:00:00-06:00</published><updated>2021-06-17T00:00:00-06:00</updated><id>https://circ.cstag.ca/news/CIRC-2021-COVID-Precautions</id><content type="html" xml:base="https://circ.cstag.ca/news/CIRC-2021-COVID-Precautions/"><![CDATA[<p>COVID-19 continues to spread globally. At this time organizers are anticipating a full removal of all restrictions in the province of Alberta enabling the event to be held. The following precautionary measures will be put in place to minimize the potential for spread at CIRC Summer 2021.</p>

<ul>
  <li>Hand Sanitizer will be provided at all task sites, and throughout CIRC Central</li>
  <li>Masks will be required to be worn at CIRC Central when indoors.</li>
  <li>Distance will be provided between each team at CIRC central</li>
  <li>Participants showing symptoms of COVID-19 will be asked to not enter CIRC Central</li>
</ul>

<p>If a vaccine for COVID-19 is available to you, you are strongly encouraged to receive one, or both doses.</p>

<p>The above preventive measures are subject to change, as guidance, and restrictions from the local governments, and rented facilities are updated.</p>

<p>Thank you for your continued interest, participation, and support of the Canadian International Rover Challenge.</p>]]></content><author><name></name></author><category term="News" /><category term="announcement" /><category term="CIRC 2021" /><summary type="html"><![CDATA[]]></summary></entry><entry><title type="html">CIRC 2020 COVID-19 Update</title><link href="https://circ.cstag.ca/news/CIRC-2020-COVID-Update/" rel="alternate" type="text/html" title="CIRC 2020 COVID-19 Update" /><published>2020-03-25T00:00:00-06:00</published><updated>2020-03-25T00:00:00-06:00</updated><id>https://circ.cstag.ca/news/CIRC-2020-COVID-Update</id><content type="html" xml:base="https://circ.cstag.ca/news/CIRC-2020-COVID-Update/"><![CDATA[<p>As you’re all well aware by now, the COVID-19 outbreak is having a significant impact on large events and gatherings, and will continue to do so for some time. With our summer challenge scheduled for August in Drumheller Alberta, and a winter challenge for February in Paris Ontario, we’re keeping a close eye on the situation. At this time it’s still too early for us to make any decisions about the competition and it’s impossible to predict what the situation will look like 5 months from now.</p>

<p>In the coming months we’ll be watching our government health agencies for advice, and recommend you do the same.</p>

<p>With that being said, there are a few likely scenarios. We will not run the challenge if it’s not safe to do so, for both our competitors and the community at large.  If the challenge does run, we may need to restrict entry to teams based on their country of origin. If we cancel the competition or do not allow your team to compete, we will provide a refund of your registration fee.</p>

<p>With the cancellation of URC, some of you will be considering CIRC as an alternate option. We do have some space available in the summer competition, and if you express interest through our website we will be sending out invites over the coming months.</p>

<p>For teams that have registered and plan on attending, we have some travel advice. Hotels have generous cancellation policies, you can typically book them now and cancel later at no extra cost. For flights, we recommend not booking yet, or purchasing travel insurance. Make sure your travel insurance covers event cancellation due to the virus.</p>

<p>Finally, if your team is no longer able to or interested in competing, please let us know, so we can invite additional teams or adjust our capacity for the competition.</p>]]></content><author><name></name></author><category term="News" /><category term="announcement" /><category term="CIRC 2020" /><summary type="html"><![CDATA[]]></summary></entry><entry><title type="html">CIRC 2020 Announced</title><link href="https://circ.cstag.ca/news/CIRC-2020-Announced/" rel="alternate" type="text/html" title="CIRC 2020 Announced" /><published>2019-10-17T00:00:00-06:00</published><updated>2019-10-17T00:00:00-06:00</updated><id>https://circ.cstag.ca/news/CIRC-2020-Announced</id><content type="html" xml:base="https://circ.cstag.ca/news/CIRC-2020-Announced/"><![CDATA[<p>We are pleased to announce our fourth annual summer competition in the badlands of Alberta. This unique and exciting landscape is an ideal environment for university space and robotics teams to showcase their rovers. Our newest array of tasks will test rovers in unique and exciting ways. This event is great for both teams and the public to enjoy. Our collaborative event center gives your team a spot to work on your rover, and to engage with teams from around the world.</p>

<p>This year, Disaster has struck the Martian settlement! By completing a <a href="/2020/tasks">series of scientific and technical tasks</a>, your rover can contain this catastrophe. <a href="/get-involved/"><strong>Sign up now</strong></a>!</p>

<p>We are also introducing our first Winter Rover Challenge, coming February 2021. We will be hosting a small number of teams in Paris, Ontario, Canada by invitation only. Please register your team at the link if you are interested in receiving an invitation. (https://circ.cstag.ca/get-involved-winter/)[https://circ.cstag.ca/get-involved-winter/]</p>

<p>Please get in touch if you have any questions at contact@cstag.ca.</p>]]></content><author><name></name></author><category term="News" /><category term="announcement" /><category term="CIRC 2020" /><summary type="html"><![CDATA[]]></summary></entry><entry><title type="html">Task Updates and Photos</title><link href="https://circ.cstag.ca/news/Task-Updates-and-Photos/" rel="alternate" type="text/html" title="Task Updates and Photos" /><published>2019-04-07T00:00:00-06:00</published><updated>2019-04-07T00:00:00-06:00</updated><id>https://circ.cstag.ca/news/Task-Updates-and-Photos</id><content type="html" xml:base="https://circ.cstag.ca/news/Task-Updates-and-Photos/"><![CDATA[<p>As we head into spring 2019, CIRC organizers have been working hard to finish all of the task rules and documentation for the competition this August. All the information teams need to prepare their rovers should now be available within the reorganized <a href="/2019/">event information section of our website.</a></p>

<p>Please <a href="mailto:contact@cstag.ca">contact us</a> if any of the rules or requirements are still unclear!</p>

<h3 id="circ-2018-media-now-available">CIRC 2018 Media Now Available</h3>

<p>CSTAG is pleased to announce the launch of our photo sharing platform, accessible at <a href="https://photos.cstag.ca/">photos.cstag.ca</a> or via the Media link on our main menu at circ.cstag.ca. Browse, search, and download the 1794 photographs generated and catalogued by our volunteers during last year&#8217;s event!</p>]]></content><author><name></name></author><category term="News" /><category term="announcement" /><category term="media" /><category term="tasks" /><category term="CIRC 2019" /><summary type="html"><![CDATA[]]></summary></entry><entry><title type="html">CIRC 2019 Resources For Teams</title><link href="https://circ.cstag.ca/news/CIRC-2019-Resources-For-Teams/" rel="alternate" type="text/html" title="CIRC 2019 Resources For Teams" /><published>2018-11-04T00:00:00-06:00</published><updated>2018-11-04T00:00:00-06:00</updated><id>https://circ.cstag.ca/news/CIRC-2019-Resources-For-Teams</id><content type="html" xml:base="https://circ.cstag.ca/news/CIRC-2019-Resources-For-Teams/"><![CDATA[<p>The Canadian International Rover Challenge has partnered with some awesome companies to provide participating teams discounts and and other resources for designing and building your rover!</p>

<p>We currently have arrangements with Protocase and Altium. Registered teams will be receiving an email with more information on how to utilize these resources. Stay tuned as we are working on more arrangements like these to help you out.</p>

<h3 id="protocase">Protocase</h3>

<p>As the title sponsor, Protocase at www.protocase.com is providing a manufacturing credit of $2000 to all teams that participate in CIRC 2019.  This manufacturing credit is also exempt from your rover budget!</p>

<h3 id="altium">Altium</h3>

<p>New this year, Altium will be providing licenses of their flagship electronics design tool, “Altium Designer” to all teams that have registered for CIRC 2019. Altium Designer provides one integrated environment for schematic and PCB design, with no restrictions on board size, layer count, or numbers of parts. For more details, see the <a href="https://www.altium.com/altium-designer/">designer website</a>.</p>]]></content><author><name></name></author><category term="News" /><category term="announcement" /><category term="resources" /><category term="sponsors" /><category term="CIRC 2019" /><summary type="html"><![CDATA[]]></summary></entry><entry><title type="html">CIRC 2019 Scoring Rubrics Available</title><link href="https://circ.cstag.ca/news/CIRC-2019-Scoring-Rubrics/" rel="alternate" type="text/html" title="CIRC 2019 Scoring Rubrics Available" /><published>2018-10-14T00:00:00-06:00</published><updated>2018-10-14T00:00:00-06:00</updated><id>https://circ.cstag.ca/news/CIRC-2019-Scoring-Rubrics</id><content type="html" xml:base="https://circ.cstag.ca/news/CIRC-2019-Scoring-Rubrics/"><![CDATA[<p>The scoring rubrics are available for teams to review and begin to familiarize themselves with. Please direct all questions regarding rules, scoring or general event questions to contact@cstag.ca</p>]]></content><author><name></name></author><category term="News" /><category term="announcement" /><category term="resources" /><category term="sponsors" /><category term="CIRC 2019" /><summary type="html"><![CDATA[]]></summary></entry></feed>