Turning Ideas into a Working Rover: My Experience Leading the MarsWorks Software Team
Moving to a new country to study is always a mix of excitement and challenge, but my experience as an international student at the University of Sheffield has been both welcoming and stretching in the best way. Back in Lima, Peru, I completed my Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and worked as a Full-stack Java Developer. But I knew I wanted to go deeper, to push myself in new areas like machine learning and robotics. This desire led me to Sheffield, a city that has quickly become my second home.
Leading MarsWorks Software team is rewarding
One of the most unforgettable parts of my time at Sheffield has been my involvement with MarsWorks, a student-led project to build a rover for international competitions. I learned about the project at a student conference. The mechanical and electrical teams were already well underway, but the software side was a blank slate. As I had just returned from a robotics competition in Türkiye, I saw MarsWorks as a fantastic opportunity.
Over the first semester, I took on more and more responsibility, eventually being appointed as the Software Team Lead. I was in charge of our rover, Scarab's, communication systems, manual teleoperation, and the entire autonomy stack. My team of six built the autonomy stack using ROS2 and Nav2, validating everything in simulations like Gazebo and NVIDIA Isaac Sim before we ever took it to the field. This process helped us catch and solve critical issues before they became bigger problems.
Being part of MarsWorks has been an incredible journey. In July, we traveled to Türkiye for the Anatolian Rover Challenge 2025. We were the only UK university to compete, and despite facing unexpected setbacks, we finished in the top ten. Representing both the UK and my home country of Peru was a moment of immense pride.
Being part of a multidisciplinary team of over 20 people taught me the value of collaboration. I also had the opportunity to mentor and support first-year students, which was rewarding. Through team work, I built lasting friendships with students from all over the world, including England, Poland, South Korea, India, and Pakistan.
Sheffield has prepared me for the future
My master’s degree at Sheffield, and particularly my experience with MarsWorks, has prepared me for an applied career in machine learning and robotics. I’m leaving prepared for roles where impact, teamwork, and iteration matter most. I’m excited to continue working on projects that blend AI, robotics, and real-world applications to create meaningful solutions that make people's lives better.
If I had to give one piece of advice to someone considering studying at Sheffield, it would be to stay curious, stay focused, and be willing to step outside your comfort zone. This community is supportive, and there are so many opportunities to grow, both academically and personally. And of course, don’t forget to enjoy the beautiful green spaces and the Peak District right outside the city.