The RAD Lab is sponsoring a senior design project within the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering. The project focuses on the design of a robotic end effector for the recovery and anchoring of LTV-class rovers. The team will design and manufacture an end effector and winch to attach to a stand-in commercial manipulator (UR20) and rover (Polaris MRZR). The end effector will be able to set anchors, use winches, and connect winch lines to recover stuck and tipped rovers.
Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) Rovers will encounter adverse terrain on aggressive, long-range exploration missions on lunar and other planetary surfaces. As soft soils, boulders, slopes, and other such features will inevitably claim rovers, it is valuable to be able to utilize existing features, such as the onboard robotic manipulator and winch, on LTV rovers to be able to assist other stuck vehicles. This enables a longer range, longer life missions over more extreme terrain without loss.