Team members:
- Andrew Bousky
- Zach Hornback
- Baird McKevitt
- Dan Regelson
- Alex Waskiewicz
The GPS Rover will be a vehicular platform with a variety of possible applications. A user will interface with the rover using a laptop computer and an RF tranceiver. The rover will accept basic instructions such as move forward, turn left, or turn right. Additionally, the user will be able to give the rover a latitude and longitude and the rover will autonomously move to that location, using proximity sensors for obstacle avoidance. GPS and a compass will be onboard so the rover knows its present location as well as its directional orientation. The RF link will also allow the rover to update the user of its current status. The platform, which we will build ourselves, will made of aluminum and will have four wheels, two on the sides and one in the front and back.
Full remote reprogramming will be possible along with the interchangability of a variety of peripheral packages. Generally, we are taking the approach that the rover should be modular and able to use various hardware/software 'packages' that will allow it to carry out different missions. To do this we could provide some standard connection points on the rover that would allow packages to interface with the rover's on-board computer along with software reprogramming using the RF link.
One possible add-on would be a camera mounted on the rover that would allow the user to watch its progress and pan, tilt, and zoom the camera itself.
Additional options could include a mobile launch platform, search and rescue function, mobile metal detection and atmospheric data collection (temp, wind, humidity, etc.). The emphasis will be on creating a modular platform and demonstrating a fraction of the many possible applications such an automated device could have.