Week 9 - Pedro C.

Custom-designed rover wheel featuring a wide tread and angled cleats to maximize traction on loose and uneven terrain. The internal rib structure provides strength while maintaining a lightweight design, ideal for off-road planetary exploration.

This week, my focus was on designing one of the most crucial components of the rover—the wheel system. I started with the custom wheel design, creating a tread pattern tailored for traction on rough, off-road terrain that mimics the Martian surface. From there, I designed the motor bracket to secure the drive motor, ensuring that torque could be efficiently transferred to the wheels without slippage or misalignment.

I also worked on the over-wheel support structure, which helps stabilize the wheel and adds structural integrity to the drivetrain assembly. These parts are essential in forming the mechanical backbone that allows the rover to move and adapt across terrain.

On the outreach side, I reached out to Parks Easter regarding volunteer opportunities at the Lunabotics competition. I'm hoping to gain behind-the-scenes insight into how successful rovers are designed, learn from experienced engineers, and bring that knowledge back into our project.

CAD model of the over-wheel support bracket. This structure is designed to reinforce the motor mount and wheel assembly by supporting vertical and lateral forces acting on the drivetrain.