This Rover was designed by user: ahi101
I am just collaborating to make this more approachable from a print and build perspective. A few things about my build version. I will not be using the solar array and instead will be using a 12v LiPo battery. This will power my Raspberry Pi 4b along with all the servo's, motors, and various control boards. I am starting with the basics and will then add the full capabilities to the Camera and Arm. I will also be arming the Rover with various sensors, lights, and other components. Please check out my parts pages to see the different printable parts as well as the parts you need to buy. I personally have not printed any of this yet, but will update as I go along. Visit ahi101's rover page to learn more about all the work and thought he put into designing this rover.
Some key features I'm looking forward to are:
Every single component—from the main chassis supporting the side-oriented solar panels to the custom all-wheel suspension with hidden internal wiring—is fully optimized for additive manufacturing. No specialized machining or custom metalwork is required. Just slice, print, and assemble.
Rocker-Bogie Passive Suspension: Utilizes multi-pivot linkages instead of traditional springs, ensuring all six wheels maintain continuous ground contact and equal weight distribution over rugged, uneven terrain.
Dependent 6-Wheel Drive (6WD): Each wheel operates with dependent drive power, maximizing traction, preventing wheel slip, and allowing the rover to climb steep obstacles without high-centering.
Corner-Wheel Steering: Dedicated upright steering knuckles on the front and rear corner assemblies enable precision steering modes, including tight pivot turns, crab walking, and zero-turn radius maneuvers.
Tubular Conduit Integration: The tubular suspension arms act as structural links while doubling as internal pathways, keeping motor and sensor wiring completely protected from snagging, dust, and mechanical wear.
High Ground Clearance & Stability: Elevated pivot points provide significant clearance under the main payload hull, protecting electronics, cameras, and onboard systems during rough traversing.
Passive Articulation Linkage: Uses a springless, balanced pivot mechanism (rocker and bogie links) that allows the suspension to conform naturally to rocky terrain, maintaining optimal wheel-to-ground contact and even weight distribution at all times.
Internal Hollow Routing: Engineered with continuous hollow structural tubes and integrated conduit joints, enabling motor power, steering lines, and encoder signals to run completely hidden inside the assembly—eliminating external wire snag hazards.
4-Corner Active Steering: Front and rear uprights house dedicated vertical steering actuators, allowing independent corner articulation for tight-radius cornering, zero-turn maneuvers, and precise rover alignment.
100% Additive Manufacturing Design: Optimized with clean print orientations, minimal support requirements, and tight mechanical tolerances so all pivot brackets, joints, and arm linkages can be 3D printed directly for high rigidity and straightforward assembly.
Internal Wire Routing System
Fully Enclosed Pathways: All structural suspension tubes and pivot brackets feature built-in hollow internal conduits, routing drive motor power, encoder data, and steering lines entirely through the suspension arms.
Complete Snag & Tangle Protection: By eliminating external wire loops, cables are fully shielded from outdoor hazards, rock snags, abrasive dust, and mechanical pinching during heavy articulation.
Articulated Joint Pass-Throughs: Integrated rotational channels at the rocker, bogie, and steering upright pivots provide clean cable pass-through with built-in bend radii, preventing wire fatigue or shear during continuous motion.