The Tunneler is a vehicle designed to navigate a mountainous world by creating tunnels through the terrain rather than driving over it. Its key feature is its ability to dig tunnels while filling in dirt behind it, preventing collapses and ensuring stability. Inspired by shield machines, the Tunneler incorporates mobility and efficient tunneling capabilities.

Key Features:

1. Purpose:

   • To build stable tunnels in mountainous environments, enabling safe and efficient travel through the mountains.

2. Design Process and Evolution:

   • First Iteration:
     • A simple design made from cardboard, including the body, drill, and screw.
     • Challenges: The screw wobbled, so sticks and paper tubes were added to stabilize it. A motor was used to drive the screw and drill.
   • Second Iteration:
     • Improved body made from thin wood, with a larger drill.
     • Removed the rear bracket and introduced gears to allow both the screw and drill to be powered by a single motor.
     • Challenges: The 3D printer struggled to create the thin, curved surfaces of the screw, but laser-cut gears improved functionality.
   • Final Iteration:
     • A mostly 3D-printed design with a horn-shaped body and integrated screw and drill system.
     • Stability was achieved by making the front heavier and adding wooden wheels underneath for smooth movement.
     • A motor-driven gear system powers both the screw and the drill efficiently.

3. Innovative Features:

   • A screw system that stabilizes tunnels by compacting dirt behind the vehicle.
   • A streamlined, integrated design combining the screw, drill, and body into a cohesive whole.

Outcome:

The Tunneler is a groundbreaking vehicle for building endless tunnels in a mountainous world. Its innovative design allows it to dig tunnels safely and efficiently, making it an essential tool for traversing otherwise impassable terrain.

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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

The Geared Vehicle is designed for a future world where 90% of the Earth's surface is covered in quicksand after the Great Sandstorm. It uses an innovative geared wheel system to traverse the hazardous terrain, ensuring human survival in this new desert-like environment.

Key Features:

1. Purpose:

   • To safely and efficiently navigate through dangerous quicksand pits, enabling forward, backward, and lateral movement by disengaging gears on either side for turning.

2. Design Process and Evolution:

   • Initial Design:
     • Started with wooden wheels to create grooves for grip, but they were too heavy for the supporting sticks.
     • Transitioned to lighter plates and then gears for improved functionality.
   • Gears:
     • Two interconnected gears were angled to allow forward movement.
     • Adjustments allowed the gears to turn in different directions for left and right turns.
   • Wheels:
     • Upgraded from two wheels to four for better stability and control.
   • Turning Mechanism:
     • Introduced two boards connected by hatches to enable smooth directional changes.

3. Body Design:

   • Early designs incorporated Chinese cultural elements like Yin-Yang symbols, but the shape didn’t fit the vehicle.
   • Final design featured a lightweight plastic body with the ability to fold, decorated with "GZ" (representing the team’s school).

4. Aesthetic and Functionality:

   • Body was initially crafted as a birdcage with iron wire, wrapped in golden thread for aesthetics, but it lacked compatibility with the vehicle.
   • Finalized with a practical and flexible plastic board design.

Outcome:

The Geared Vehicle is a robust and adaptable solution for traversing quicksand-covered terrain. It offers a blend of functionality and cultural pride, ensuring survival and mobility in a post-catastrophe desert world

The Forest Saw is a programmed vehicle designed to navigate and clear paths through massive forests that grow rapidly due to low gravity conditions. Its primary function is to locate and cut down the nearest tree, addressing the challenge of movement and accessibility in these dense forests.

Project Concept: Segmented Mountain Climber

The Segmented Mountain Climber is a vehicle designed to traverse mountainous terrain by conforming to uneven landscapes.

Key Features:

1. Segmented Design: The vehicle consists of multiple connected sections for flexibility and adaptability to rugged terrain.
2. Wegs (Wheel-Legs): Spoked wheels with legs instead of rims, offering better grip and the ability to climb over obstacles.
3. Universal Joints: Flexible connectors between segments, allowing movement in multiple directions while maintaining stability and torque.
4. Servo Steering: A servo motor in the front segment rotates the leading section, steering the rest of the vehicle.

Final Product:

• Built with sturdy materials (wood and rubber) for durability and traction.
• Controlled by an Arduino system, enabling remote operation.
• Designed to tackle obstacles with a combination of flexibility, grip, and precise steering.

The project demonstrates an innovative solution for navigating challenging terrains through engineering and iterative design.