RAT MKI

About:

RAT MKI is our first design in the RAT rover series. Built in 2023, it faced other rovers competing in the 2024 Australian Rover Challenge. It features a completely overhauled chassis, wheels, and suspension systems, while retaining the main arm and several internal components from our previous rover.

    • 6-wheel rocker-bogie suspension system

    • Interchangeable rover payload configurations

    • Data-learning algorithm for autonomy

    • Custom robotic arm and excavator for regolith extractions

    • Weight: 36kg base weight

    • Dimensions: 985mm x 1000mm x 510mm

    • Wheels: 3D printed (TPU) with a common airless tire design based on hexagons

    • Chasis Build: Aluminium frame

    • Suspension: Rocker-bogie system

    • Power: 2x 22.2V, 6-cell, 10Ah LiPO batteries

    • Motors and gearboxes:  BLDC motors with planetary gearboxes

    • Chassis and Arm Motor Controllers: Custom CAN-Bus Motor Drivers

    • Communication: 5.6Ghz radio

    • Vision: ZED 2i stereovision camera

    • Sensors: Sensecap S-Temp&VWC&EC-02, Honeywell SS494B

    • Sensing system: Water and ilmenite sensors

    • Autonomous: Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) system, stereovision camera, Jetson Orin NX

Past Competition:

Australian Rover Challenge 2024

Overall: 7th / 14

CDR: 8th

SAR: 8th

Post-Landing: 8th

Excavation & Construction: 5th

Space Resources: 4th

Mapping & Autonomous: 7th