Paul Clarke needs you! Help me with my massive Earth Rover project.
Posted by pauljclarke on
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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?
16 comments
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Posted by pauljclarke at
Just as a update - I'm working on cantacting eveyone back and getting your contact information.
If you have not heard from me then as I have said below, please feel free to contact me direct on my email.
Thanks!
monpjc.blogs[AT]gmail.com
Posted by pauljclarke at
Hi Again,
Thanks for the great responce! I will be getting back to eveyone personally as soon as I can. I also like the idea of adding a pH probe!
For now if your intrested then please email me, I have also had a registration page set up, so you can go to this link and enter your email address and details of what you can offer etc. I will then get back to you or send you all updates.
http://http://109.224.143.67/earthrover/
...or you can now follow the project on twitter and or facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/MonpjcEarthRover
https://twitter.com/rover_monpjc
Thanks and keep the comments comming!
Posted by mikykim74 at
I would like to participate in the project.
http://micheleamato.it
Posted by rachael at
A part from Electronics I am a Tool Maker and have own workshop, If I can help in making machined parts and welded components just ask.
Rachael
Australia
Posted by dzjon at
Hi Paul,
a big challenge and probably a logisyic nightmare to keep a worldwide project on track.
But if you need an all-round technician with programming, sensoring, robotics (from the Netherlands) i am in.
success John
Posted by ascii68 at
hi paul,
grat idea and massive project. -engineers dream project :-)
to get it working and put all together is
a lot of work, for sure -respect.
i will tell some of my colleagues and
students. located in germany - bavaria.
think about robust mechanical design,
and keep in mind that earth is full of life.
birds e.g. like moving objects and other beasts
may also harm your vehicle while strolling
around in d desert place
( otherwise it surely may get stolen, sad to say
but real threat to this to hi-tech rover ).
for longtime energy production, please use no
nuclear thermal cells ;-)
please keep me updated.
skills: electronic design, mechanical expertise, welding specialist,
favourite embedded: cypress psoc5/3
radio amateur since 1983
( you will also need a ham licence
for long distant autonomus communication of vehicle).
keep on rocking dear paul, with a little help from many
ASCII68
Posted by kerneels62 at
Great idea.
Will the earth rover store information or just relay it?
Will it be able to monitor polution?
Maybe magnetic fields?
Posted by middleirish at
Great project! What about a pH probe?
Posted by javi@grupo-3.com at
I like it, and if time permits I would like to participate in the project.
I made automos driven vehicles bluetooth and internet controlled home automation
Posted by infinitronix at
Very pleased to help. My CV available to view at www.tinyurl.com/ck4u42l explains my capabilities.
Best Regards,
Garth Wayne Haslam
Posted by lstacey at
You're going to need someone to manage PR & engagement for the project...
I'm in, if you want me!
Posted by marius810327 at
Hi Paul, great project idea. Would like to get involved when the time allows it.
Posted by bonzadog at
Very interesting indeed and I'd like to take part on the project.
Just send an email to me.
I live in Germany
Posted by pauljclarke at
Thanks for your feedback, vesy intrested in what you have to say.
Please feel free to contact me on monpjc.blogs@gmail(dot)com
Watch out for the follow up blogs, I'll be posting all the progress and lots more content on what else I have planed!
Thanks
Paul
Posted by botthoughts at
Sounds interesting! I have done quite a bit of work on my autonomous rover Data Bus. Happy to share what I know and contribute if time permits.
Michael
Posted by boss at
Paul, great stimulating project idea. I will help where I can.
I'm interested in designing a 'static' version of much of the sensors for a crowd sourced 'current' weather reporting system where as many people as possible generate data for a weather map.
This would use amoung other parts "Camera for clouds, light detector, IR / UV levels for sunshine, temperature, %RH, wind speed, gas monitor for polution, (not planing a sound recorder), radiation levels for any incidents!, (not planing metal detector, gyro, compass, accelerometer), GPS could be useful for a mobile version and current location), (not planning a Radio (SDR), robot arm), so as you can see a lot in common on this part of your design.
I doubt that I will ever complete my exercise on a grand scale, but there is a lot in common to share ideas and designs.