European Rover Challenge: Much More Than Rovers

The European Rover Challenge 2026 took place from 4 to 6 September at AGH University of Kraków, combining the international rover competition with a three-day conference focused on space exploration, technology and commercialization.

And it turned out to be much more than a planetary robotics competition!

ERC brought together engineers, scientists, space agency experts, entrepreneurs and investors from across the European space sector and beyond.

Daniela Jović, CEO of ORBITALYX, took part in the programme through three appearances.

She moderated two panels focused on lunar exploration, planetary robotics and the future of space exploration, with speakers whose experience spans ESA planetary robotics, Mars Sample Return, ISS operations, lunar missions and space investment.

She also delivered a lecture on how startups and smaller companies can navigate the space industry, build recognition and turn strong technology into concrete opportunities.

Across the programme, discussions moved from autonomous robotics and future lunar missions to commercialization, investment, infrastructure and Europe’s role in the next phase of exploration.

One of the strongest impressions from ERC was the quality of the event itself: strong speakers, an engaged audience and discussions that continued well beyond the official sessions.

Combined with the rover competition and the setting at AGH University, ERC proved to be one of those events that significantly exceeds first expectations.

A big thank you to the European Rover Challenge team, the European Space Foundation, and everyone behind the organization, with a special thank-you to Łukasz Wilczyński for the invitation, trust, and work behind creating such a strong event.

And of course, thank you to all panel participants for making the discussions as interesting offstage as they were onstage.