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University Rover Challenge is a difficult competition due to its competitive nature. Our team experienced much disappointment when applying to the competition and trying to pass the System Acceptance Review(SAR). However, after carefully reading the competition guidelines and seeing reviewing some other teams invited' qualifications, the UWRT executive team has made the following changes to secure our invitation for SAR 2025.
Define the Key Selling point the key selling points the competition requires
Ensure the selling point covers all the main systems required by the competition guidelines
Setup Milestones aim to finish the selling point step by step
Not trying to accomplish all the missions, focus on the high-priority ones.
Not to push delay the SAR review component video until the last minute
Record the section of the SAR video after each milestone is completed
Develop an integration knowledge base
Ensure the team’s ability to prototype things and iterate to meet the competition requirement.
Constantly testing the rover to ensure all system functionality.
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Equipment max height: 1.5 meter
Insert Deliver a max 5kg Cache container and deliver insert it to into a drawer
Tighten 5/16” Allen(hex) head
undo the latch and open a panel
Type the keyboard and follow the directions on a computer display
Observe a Gauge and operate a Joystick
Insert USB A stick
Push buttons and , flip the switch, and turn the knob
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Take three photo
Wide angle panorama with scale
high-resolution picture with scale
Stratigraphic profile for depositional environment and analysis for history of water
Record GPS Coordinate of each site
Camera or other life-detection mechanism
Collect sub-surface samples (at least 10cm deep) from 2 sites at least 5g
Seal sample and return cache to command station
Require a science plan
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Working drivetrain to deliver the product
Pick up a max 5kg container and insert the container into a drawer
use a normal end effector to push the button
use a normal end effector to flip the switch
Use a normal end effector to undo the latch and open a panel
end effector camera for situational awareness
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5/16” Allen(hex) head end effector module
Small end effector module that can type keyboard
normal End effector end module to operate the joystick
Special motion for turning the knob
Special motion to insert USB and reverse the polarity retry if needed
Autonomy Mission:
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The current drivetrain system has almost reached the end of its design cycle. The only thing left is to clean up the current system to create a better foundation interacting interfacing with the rest of the system since the drivetrain is considerably the most critical system in the whole rover. The figure illustrates a render rendering of the current drivetrain system.
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The mechanical design of the arms project is completed. However, this project is undergoing validation and testing to study the system's performance capability before entering the full manufacturing stage.
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At a minimum, the arm has 4 degrees of freedom
Max weight: 15kg.
The arm can pick up a 5kg object and hold the object
Able to adjust rover center of mass after picking up heavy object
Able to reach at least a workspace and pick up the end effect module
Able to grab a handle, flip a switch, and push a button
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The full design of the science module will wait until F24, when the competition guideline is released, since science missions change the most every year. But However, a lesson learned from the past is that rapid prototyping and iterating over is are the best way ways to develop the science module, and they usually helps help the team accomplish the most objectives and score the highest. The team also has the past design and prototype of the science module.
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The power system is available to protect the other electrical components onboard when one component fails and to still deliver the required power to all the components. The system will expands as the rover develops.
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