Avoiding Obstacles on a Clockwork Rover

Deadline: 2020-05-29
Award: $30,000
Open to: Everyone*

The goal of this single-stage challenge is to submit a fully mechanical sensor that meets the performance criteria listed below and can be incorporated into the existing AREE model – competitors do not need to demonstrate how their sensor will connect to the rover, only that their design can provide the desired functionality.

The actuator in any proposed sensor must be able to move a 6 cm diameter pin by a minimum of 3 cm with 25 N of force when an obstacle is encountered. This, in turn, will then trigger the rover to back off the obstacle and seek a new pathway forward.