Our Thought Process

 
Wheel
Base
Camera
MountCamera_Mount.html
Wheel
Base
Camera
MountCamera_Mount.html
Extendable
ArmArm.html
Solar Panels
Solar.html
Lander
Lander.html
LIM’s
LIM.html
Dust Removal
Dust.html
High Technology
High_Technology.html

Wheel/Base Design


We decided on a unique design for our rover. We liked the stability of the six-wheeled Mars rovers but disliked the distributed power between all of the wheels. [1] We also looked at the power of a rear wheel drive vehicle but disliked the lack of maneuverability of the vehicle. We made a design that was a combination of the characteristics we liked. Our design utilizes four front wheels for superior stability. Each of these front motors has an independent motor connected to the wheel and a emergency backup power supply located in the main frame of the robot. These wheels are built to be used in both directions and each has a horizontal hinge in the frame for turning. Our wheel base design also includes a primary back “powering” wheel. This wheel is more incorporated into the frame and has more power in proportion to the other wheels. This is for needs like ridge climbing and overall driving problems. This wheel is capable of being rotated one hundred eighty degrees in either direction. This was done due the design of the wheel. The wheel’s “teeth” are intended to have more “grip” in one direction. This enables better general control and allows the wheel to “pull” the robot in any direction if the front wheels become inoperable.