Solar Powered Rover

The Rover project was the first of two projects for Intro to Mechanical Design, taken in Fall 2021. The goal of the project was to construct a rover given a solar panel and low torque, high speed motor. The rover was to be constructed using the Makerspace in Benedum Hall at Pitt. My team primarily used laser-cutters to manufacture our rover. 

​

The rover had to undergo a speed test with a 100g load and an obstacle test while remaining intact. These tests assessed speed, agility, and durability. 

​

The addition of a ping pong ball to the rover at a certain distance in front of the solar panel and below the light source was made by the course instructors after the first prototype was made. This was to simulate a design specification requested during the design process.