Problem: Regular vehicles lack the grip and stability needed to climb rocks and steep surfaces, leading to the risk of falling.
The Rock Climber Vehicle is designed for a mountainous world with no plains, making it essential for navigating steep hills, rocks, and rugged terrain where regular cars cannot function effectively. To enable traversal of steep mountains and rocks efficiently and safely in a world dominated by mountainous landscapes.
Key Features:
Body:
- Originally inspired by an inchworm design with a contractable body for flexibility.
- Simplified into a sturdy box structure to maintain balance and ease of construction.
Legs:
- Initially envisioned as spider-like legs with multiple joints, but later simplified for practicality.
- Faced challenges with motor mounts, eventually resolved with 3D printing adjustments.
Grappling Hook:
- Designed for vertical movement using a rubber-band-powered launcher.
- The firing mechanism includes a servo, pin, and motor to release the hook quickly and efficiently.
Electronics:
- Controlled by an Arduino with a motor shield, servo, and remote control.
- Programming involved calibrating motor speed and integrating radio control for seamless operation.
Final Product:
After overcoming numerous design challenges, the team created a functional climbing robot capable of grappling and scaling surfaces, showcasing innovative problem-solving and engineering skills.