Robotic Explorer for Hypothesized Surfaces – Mechatronics Prime

INSTITUTION

Seattle University (SU)

CLASS

Platinum Class (2025 – 2026)

STUDENT TEAM

Nicholas Javadoff, Mechanical Engineering with Minor in Business Administration
Nitya Kulkarni, Mechanical Engineering
Narely Rivas-Castellon, Electrical Engineering with Minor in Humanitarian Engineering
Gina Philipose, Computer Engineering and Computer Science with Minor in Electrical Engineering

ACADEMIC GUIDANCE

Dr. Shiny Abraham, Senior Design Coordinator
Ali Akgun, Advisor
Dr. Cassie Bowman, Sponsor Liaison
Jacquelin Remaley, Engineering Machine Shop Manager
Gary Fernandes, Electrical and Computer Engineering Lab Manager
Rachael Brown, Project Center Director
Carolina Delgado-Ruiz, Project Center Assistant
Macklin Hamilton, Corporate Relationships Specialist

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This presents the design of an autonomous rover system optimized for mobility in terrains involving flat and metallic surfaces with loose debris and numerous craters. The rover addresses the challenge of navigating these obstacles as well as increasing efficiency by minimizing traversing time and obstacle interaction through path optimization. A path optimization algorithm is implemented to determine optimal routes based on obstacle density and terrain profile. Mechanical design prioritizes maintaining all wheel contact via NASA’s rocker-bogie system, durability, as well as proper electronic housing. Testing demonstrates that the system can operate at varying angles of incline, go over various objects while maintaining contact with all six wheels, choose paths that are evaluated to be the easiest to traverse (with 70% accuracy), and continue to operate for a specified time (up to an hour) with a safe and efficient power system.

 

This work was created in partial fulfillment of the Seattle University Capstone Course “ECEGR 4870‌/80/90.” The work is a result of the Psyche Student Collaborations component of NASA’s Psyche Mission (https://psyche.ssl.berkeley.edu). “Psyche: A Journey to a Metal World” [Contract number NNM16AA09C] is part of the NASA Discovery Program mission to solar system targets. Trade names and trademarks of ASU and NASA are used in this work for identification only. Their usage does not constitute an official endorsement, either expressed or implied, by Arizona State University or National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of ASU or NASA.