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 extractionoes here

Weight: 36kg base weight

Dimensions: 985mm x 1000mm x 510mm

Wheels: 3D printed polyurethane (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 cycloidal gearboxes

Chassis and Arm Motor Controllers: Custom CAN-Bus Motor Drivers (CMDs)

Communication: 5.6Ghz radio

Vision: 2x ZED 2i stereovision camera

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

Sensing system: Water and ilmenite sensors

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

Australian Rover Challenge (ARCh) 2024

Overall: 7th / 14

CDR: 8th

SAR: 8th

Post-Landing: 8th

Excavation & Construction: 5th

Space Resources: 4th

Mapping & Autonomous: 7th