Martian Rovers

Summary of Work

• Integrated new technologies like ORFL suspension, harmonic drives, modular joint and wheel systems, and long-range communication into rover designs.
• Participated at the International Rover Challenge and bagged Best Performance in Bio-Analysis Task
• Established an R&D wing, 1st time in a student team at IIT Bombay, promoting focused research and intellectual property.
• Led new projects of active suspension design, soil force analysis, and multipurpose end-effector, opening up the team to focus on advanced technology development and implementation.
• Designed a new generation of robotic arm for IROC, a rover design competition by ISRO, Government of India.
• Used novel telescopic mechanisms and compliant joints to boost dexterity.
• Introduced a system-design-first approach in the team, bringing about methodological and sustained research activities.
• Designed a new version of the robotic arm, increasing payload capacity by 50%. Developed key Design for Assembly and Design for Manufacturing principles