Term 252

IAM3D Remote Operations Vehicle for the Excavation of Resources (R.O.V.E.R.)

Project Type: Self-Initiated

Project Description

This project presents the conceptual design of a compact unmanned excavation rover developed for operation on a sand-based terrain under First-Person View (FPV) control. The objective is to design a lightweight, additively manufactured rover capable of reliable mobility, material excavation, and controlled resource deposition while satisfying size, safety, and manufacturing constraints. The proposed rover integrates a 3D-printed structural chassis, a tracked locomotion system to improve traction and reduce ground pressure on loose sand, and a front-mounted bucket mechanism for material collection and transport. A structured engineering design methodology was applied, including translation of customer needs into measurable specifications using Quality Function Deployment (QFD), followed by concept generation, evaluation, and selection to obtain the most suitable design. The multidisciplinary system integrates Mechanical Engineering (ME) contributions in structural design, locomotion, and excavation mechanism development; Electrical Engineering (EE) contributions in power distribution, motor control, and safety implementation; and Computer and Instrumentation Engineering (CIE) contributions in FPV communication, telemetry, and teleoperation control. This integration ensures coordinated subsystem operation and reliable remote performance. Future work will focus on detailed CAD design, additive manufacturing, prototype fabrication, and experimental validation of excavation performance, mobility on sand, and overall system reliability. The rover achieves a maximum speed of 0.188 m/s and a validated excavation force of 16.9 N, confirming its capability to operate effectively on sandy terrain