I Need Your Help-! Yes thats right, you, why? Because this is the start of one of the most ambitious project I have ever done. For it to work I need engineers from around the world to pull together and help me design and build a Earth Rover. This could be the start of something very big.
So lets start with explaining the whole idea. Weeks ago I heard about how NASA are going to build a new Mars Rover, a clone of Curiosity. This to save costs will be made in part from parts left over from the prototype and other left of parts. This got me thinking about all the leftover development board and bits and bobs I have. I could make something from them and why not make a Earth Rover robot emulating NASA.!? Now I’m not going to build a full size Curiosity but thinking more along the lines of a ‘Pathfinder’ or ‘Spirit’ sized rover.
The final unit will have some big challenges not only in design but also in the year long mission it will have to run for. Placed in a remote location my plan is to have it left untouched. That means it haves to keep its battery charged while carrying out mission objectives. Just like the Mars rovers this will have to carry out objectives on its own while relaying information back via a satellite to earth. Ok not a real satellite but a relay unit that carries out the RF comms link and puts the information on the internet for you all to see. There will also be interactive mission where you can log in and remotely control, drive, experiment and play with our Earth Rover. And as contributor to the project you get mission hours where you can do whatever you like.
I would also like to get some puzzles to solve, like finding objects that could lead to prizes - but will depend on the sponsors I can find and get. So there is a massive amount of things that we could do. And this is where I need your input. Over the coming weeks I’ll be posting more information about the Rover and information on the mission. You will get a opportunity to register an interest. So what am I looking for?
Well I’m looking for people to help write software, supply hardware, bit of welding or just help supplying information. There is no contribution too small and you're also getting a say in what the final design will look like.
So to get you thinking here is a list of the things we could have on our final Earth Rover, and its a long list! Solar powered with RF like to relay unit giving access to internet the unit will be field reprogrammable with kit like:
Camera (including night vision), light detector, IR / UV levels, temperature, %RH, wind speed, gas monitor, sound recorder, radiation levels, metal detector, gyro, compass, accelerometer, GPS, Radio (SDR), robot arm and thats the short basic list!
Can you think of more? Then let me know and also what missions would you carry out?
So there you go, this is your first introduction to this project. as yet its all still in the idea phase and there is lots to work out. But by opening it up to you now you can see my progress right from the start!
So come one, do you want to be part of this?