Rover

A smart RC car and a foundational platform for autonomous navigation experiments.

Rover Hero

Mission Objective

Develop a rover with wireless control and eventually autonomous navigation.

Project Overview

A smart RC car built as a foundational platform for autonomous navigation experiments. Starting with wireless joystick control and working toward self-driving capabilities using lessons from the GG Swarm project.

Technical Approach

  • Compute: Arduino-based control with XBee wireless communication
  • Input: PS4 controller for manual driving
  • Drive: DRV8871 motor drivers for differential steering
  • Chassis: 3D-printed custom frame
  • Software: C++ firmware for motor control and wireless command parsing

Connection to GG Swarm

Like the Drone project, this rover is a stepping stone toward real-world autonomous coordination. The plan is to apply navigation and consensus algorithms developed in simulation to physical ground-based platforms.

Project Log

No log entries found for this project.

Tech Stack

Arduino XBee PS4 Controller DRV8871 Motor Drivers C++ 3D Printing

Deployment

Timeline

Phase 0: Conceptualization

Conceptualization

Conceptualize the rover hardware and software architecture.

Phase 1: Hardware Design

Design

Design the rover chassis and electronics layout.

Phase 1.5: Hardware Design of Remote Controller

Design

Design the remote controller chassis and electronics layout.

Phase 2: Software Bench Build

Software

Build the software architecture for the rover.

Phase 2.5: Software Bench Build of Remote Controller

Software

Build the software architecture for the remote controller.

Phase 3: Hardware Build

Hardware

Build the rover hardware.

Phase 3.5: Hardware Build of Remote Controller

Hardware

Build the remote controller hardware.

Phase 4: Testing

Testing

Test the rover.

Phase 4.5: Testing of Remote Controller

Testing

Test the remote controller.

Phase 5: Integration Testing

Testing

Test the rover and remote controller together.

Phase 6: Deployment

Deployment

Deploy the rover and remote controller.

Phase 7: Future

Future

Apply algorithms learned from GG Swarm project to the rover.