Mini Mars Rover

Built a rover-style mechatronic system for a Mars exploration mission in which a four-person team had to autonomously navigate a course and complete task-based objectives. The project combined microcontroller programming, sensors, motor drivers, PWM control, and mechanical prototyping into one integrated system. It highlights embedded systems, electromechanical design, and full-system integration.

Role
Mechatronics Team Member
Team
Four-Person Rover Design Team
Duration
August 2025 - December 2025
Outcome
Designed and implemented a complete rover platform that integrated microcontroller control, sensing, actuation, and mechanical subsystems for a Mars mission scenario.
Core Tools
Microcontrollers, Sensors, Motor Drivers, PWM, Mechanical Prototyping, System Integration
View on GitHub
Mini Mars rover prototype and team preparing for a Mars-themed autonomous mission course.

Overview

This project was a Mars rover design challenge completed by a four-person team. The goal was to create a robotic rover that could explore a Mars-like environment and complete mission tasks autonomously.

The rover had to exit the lander, follow a pre-specified course, complete key tasks at different locations, and eventually return to the lander to transmit data. The project was designed to bring together the full stack of mechatronics learning outcomes: microcontrollers, sensors, motor control, analog/digital interfacing, communication, and physical prototyping.

Mission Requirements

The rover mission included the following major tasks:

  • Navigate a 22-tile course by following a 1-inch painted white line on black foam tiles
  • Collect and analyze a rock sample
  • Navigate a canyon section where the white-line guidance was not available
  • Return to the lander
  • Transmit data to a satellite target near the end of the course

The lander was always both the start point and end point, and the course layout could be reconfigured while preserving the mission sequence.

Mission-course layout and rover project team

Design Focus

This project was built around the same core capabilities emphasized in the course:

  • understanding microcontroller architecture, memory, timers, interrupts, and peripherals
  • programming embedded systems in a high-level language with event-driven logic
  • integrating digital and analog sensors with the microcontroller
  • designing motor-driver circuits and using pulse-width modulation for actuator control
  • using real prototyping tools such as breadboards, soldering, and mechanical fabrication
  • combining electronics and mechanical systems into one complete mechatronic system

Results

Videos

Mechatronics Mini Mars Rover Project

Mechatronics Rover Run

Technical Skills