Rover
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.
RAT MKI
6-wheel rocker-bogie suspension system
Interchangeable rover payload configurations
Data-learning algorithm for autonomy
Custom robotic arm and excavator for regolith extraction
Key features
Australian Rover Challenge 2024 (ARCh 2024) Results:
SCORE (out of 100)
71.5
-
29
56.6
13
170.1
TASK
CDR + SAR
Post-Landing
Excavation & Construction
Space Resources
Mapping & Autonomous
TOTAL
Specifications
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 TX2