Welcome to Robotics at Iowa!
Iowa City was the first city in the United States and the third in the world to receive the prestigious UNESCO City of Literature title in 2008. Renowned worldwide for its rich literary heritage, it is also home to the historic University of Iowa. On its campus, a dynamic and dedicated student organization called Robotics at Iowa advances scientific knowledge through hands-on engineering experience. Driven by a shared passion for science and technology, the team design and constructs a prototype Mars Rover inspired by NASA's design. Each year, we compete with our rover in the Canadian International Rover Challenge (CIRC), an esteemed international competition. Since 2014, Robotics at Iowa has upheld a legacy of excellent, passing down its values of innovation, teamwork, and perseverance from one generation to the next.
We are an interdisciplinary team composed of students from both STEM and Non-STEM disciplines, united by a commitment to education, professional development, and community outreach in the field of robotics.
In 2025, Robotics at Iowa earned a Top 7 ranking out of 26 international teams at CIRC. We are currently preparing for CIRC 2026 and The University Rover Challenge 2026, with the continued objective of designing, programming, and constructing a highly capable Mars Rover prototype - one that performs a wild range of tasks representative of real- world extraterrestrial exploration.
Our Goal
Our goal is to design, program, and build a prototype Mars rover that will achieve a host of tasks an actual rover would need to complete. We compete with our rover in two international rover challenges: (1) The University Rover Challenge at the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah and (2) The Canadian International Rover Challenge in Alberta, Canada.
Our ultimate goal is to earn the championship title - a reflection of our unwavering commitment, dedication, and pursuit of excellence. Beyond the competition, we deeply value the journey itself: growing together, embracing every challenge, and openly sharing our passion for science and engineering with the world, whole-heartedly.
Get Involved
We are looking for new members in 2025! Anyone is welcome to join, regardless of major or experience - we will teach you everything you need to know! Robotics at Iowa meets weekly in G440 Seaman Center(Next to Engineering machine shop). Please fill out this New Member Intrest Form if you would like to join our team!
Teamwork made the dream work at CIRC 2025.
The team was working hard for the competition in Canada in August 2025. Go Hawks!!!!!!
Outstanding Team Performance at CIRC 2025!
The Rover We Built in 2025.
Robotics' Team Update Fall 2025
Click here for each team's update:
1.The electrical hardware (system team):
- Upgrade power electronics system
- Integrate a high-wattage power supply
- Polish wire routing and switch to CAN-bus.
Build Simulation Arm Dexterity Board
-- Software (system team):
- Replace imaging and communication components
- Install an upgraded camera and coding.
- Install a new antenna and coding.
2. The Mechanical - Chassis team:
- Upgrade chassis and support structure
- Install new size for chassis.
- Install support plate.
- upgrade wheels.
3.The Mechanical - Arm team:
- 6 DOF ARM
- (New member project) 2 new primative hands
- Differential wrist
- Advanced 5 DOF hand
4.The science team:
- Create sketches for a light-tight enclosure for the spectrometer.
- Design a centrifuge that aligns with the enclosure to enable absorbance readings of soil samples.
Follow us on Social Media!
Instagram: @robotics.at.iowa
Facebook: @robotics.at.iowa
SAR video
Learn More!
Team Impact: Events and Community Engagement
Robotics at Iowa participates at events around campus and in the community to provide STEM outreach and education within the field of robotics.
Meet our Officers
Take a minute to meet our officers!
Join us!
Please fill out a New Member Interest Form to join our team! All majors and disciplines are welcome!
Robotics at Iowa meets weekly in G440 Seaman Center.