Skip to content
Pioneer-Classes
Pioneer-Circle

Compete in the PIONEER class.

The PIONEER class is recommended for first time technical and community colleges, as well as first time four-year universities. PIONEER class teams must create a complex vehicle and have a deep understanding of electronics, electricity, waterproofing canisters, and other technology. 

Contents

Eligibility

  • The intention of the PIONEER class is to encourage, support, and sustain community/technical college and university team participation in the MATE ROV Competition.  
  • Participation in the PIONEER class is open to students in these institutions competing for competing for the first time.  Note that “first time” is defined as: 
    • 75% of students on the team have not competed previously
      and/or
    • A four-year university has never fielded a team before
      and/or
    • A two-year community/technical college has not fielded a team in the last three years
  • Community/technical college teams will be permitted to compete in the PIONEER class in consecutive years provided that they notify the MATE ROV Competition of their intention by December 31 of the previous competition year.
  • Teams of mixed college/university and high school students are allowed to participate in the PIONEER class provided that the high school students:
    • Are enrolled in classes at the college or university
    • Do not make up more than 50% of the community/technical college team or 25% of the university team
  • Students from two-year community/technical college teams who transfer to a four-year university that does not currently have a MATE ROV team may continue to participate as a member of their community college team in the PIONEER class.
  • Students may only participate on one team.  This applies across competition classes - i.e. a student competitor on a PIONEER team cannot also participate as a student competitor on a RANGER team.   

Mission Tasks & Specs

The following are links to all of the information needed regarding mission tasks and specs. 

Links will turn blue when they become active!

Product Demonstration Resources

  • pending

 

Scoring

2026 Scoring Guide

Want to compete?

Sign Up

Tap here to join our mailing list! (Registration required)

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Numbers DRL/ITEST 1312333, DUE/ATE 1104310, and DUE/ATE 1502046. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

MTS/MATE

PO Box 590

Monterey, CA 93942

Phone: +1 (202) 717-8705

Donate

 

Copyright © 2025

Marine Technology Society | One Thomas Circle, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20005