The project was developed in collaboration with Università degli studi di Bergamo. The task we were given was to design a mid-range rover to be used in the colonization project of Mars.
Requirements: maximum speed at least 25 km/h; capacity to overcome 50cm height obstacle; capacity to go through 20% slope; presence of a water tank and a power unit for land operation.
To satisfy these requirements, we developed a tubular frame made of titan, independent air suspension and carbon composite cabin. The propulsion is entrusted to 4 electric motors (25KW each) placed in the hub of the airless wheels and fed by a hydrogen PEM fuel cell.
Tanks can contain 5kg of hydrogen enduring 400km of journey.
Board tools and land operations are fed by solar panel placed on the roof of the cabin
To succeed a high flexibility of usage during colonization process, we developed three different configurations of the back of the rover (cabin, load plate, excavator) which can be easily changed.
It has been an amazing experience that challenged our knowledge and fantasy, improved our design skills, and enabled us to discover the latest technologies in automotive and mobile power production fields.
Alberto Olivieri, Matteo Simone
