Poland's Hyperion 2 wins US 'rover challenge'

The team from the Bialystok University of Technology celebrates victory in the Utah desert. Photo: Projekt Hyperion

The team from the Bialystok University of Technology beat off competition from 22 rival groups, with rover Hyperion 2 proving a formidable opponent.

“This year, the tasks were two to three times harder than in previous years,” commented the Polish team's supervisor Dr Kazimierz Dzierzek.

Rovers had to probe the Utah desert, collecting samples of various life forms. The vehicles were also tested for mobility on especially bumpy terrain.

Photo: Projekt Hyperion

Last year, the Polish crew notched up a tournament record of 493 points out of a maximum of 500, but under 2014's more trying conditions, they won 368 points.

However, victory remained sweet as Sunday's win marked the first time that a team has won two years in row.

It was a doubly successful day for Poland, as a crew from the Technical University of Rzeszow came third (338 points) behind the Missouri University of Science and Technology (342 points).

The construction of Hyperion 2 was financed under the auspices of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education's 'Generation Future' programme. (nh)

Source: PAP