Design & Fabrication of All-Terrain 6WD Robot

Abstract

One of the difficulties in operating an autonomous robot through various terrains is the robot's incapacity to adapt to changing landscapes. Present wheeled and tracked vehicles can only access around half of the Earth's surface. It is high time to focus on the design of a robot capable of independently maneuvering in various terrains and ascending and descending stairs and sloping surfaces. A mobile robot is an automated machine that can navigate a landscape with natural or artificial obstacles. It features wheels, tracks, or legs on its chassis and a mechanical setup for manipulating work parts, instruments, or unique gadgets. All-Terrain Robots (ATRs) are a type of mobile robot capable of displaying exceptional off-road capabilities. They can easily maneuver across challenging and uneven terrain. This project aims to design and develop an All-Terrain Robot with six differentially controlled tires and shock absorbers for suspension that can bridge lengthy ditches and undulations in the terrain. It is a unique lightweight design similar to a Mantis type robot capable of moving on rough surfaces using a specially developed spider-type design and six-wheeled mechanisms. Monster truck-type tires will be used in this robot, allowing the robot to cross rocky paths and obstacles with ease. An omnidirectional camera will also be mounted on the top of the chassis for exploration purposes.