Rice Robotics Club:
Rover
Sponsored by the Unmanned Exploration Laboratory, we are developing a cutting-edge machine learning algorithm and sample collection device to enable our rovers to autonomously navigate and analyze the lunar surface, specifically searching for water in lunar lava tubes. This project leverages advanced skills in computer science, electronics, and mechanical engineering to contribute to lunar habitation initiatives.
The Robot
The Rovers Team was established at the end of the Spring 2024 semester, proposed and led by Albert Park in partnership with the Unmanned Exploration Laboratory, a Korean startup specializing in lunar robots and space exploration. Sponsored by the Unmanned Exploration Laboratory, we are enhancing the rovers by integrating features such as machine learning algorithms, a sample collection system, a drilling system, and an environment detection system using sensors and solar panels. Our goal is to equip the rovers to navigate lunar lava tubes autonomously and search for water samples.
As a team, we utilize the rovers to explore and learn about cutting-edge technologies such as machine learning, camera vision, and lidar. We strive to push the boundaries of what has been achieved so far in these fields.
The Prospective Competitions & Showcases
We plan to participate in various competitions in the future, including the University Rover Challenge (URC), European Rover Challenge (ERC), NASA’s Lunabotics Competition, Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC), and RoboNation Autonomous Vehicle Competitions. Additionally, we will showcase our work at the annual OEDK showcase.
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The Team
2023-24 Rice Robotics Rover Team
2024 Team Leads
Ben Bridges