After completing the preliminary research, the team has selected a design incorporating both new and previously successful subsystems. Thus, a legged robot using a bucket-chain excavation system and a power-screw lifting system will be designed and built for the purposes of the team’s competition.
Comparing
this design to robots in the previous competition as well as
existing lunar and planetary exploration rovers, this particular
robot will be able to traverse terrain that was hazardous or even
impassible to wheeled and treaded vehicles.
As the exact layout of the competition arena is not known
until the competition begins, it is best to have a system that is
not hindered by minor obstacles such as rocks and craters.
Also, using a bucket-chain system limits the material being
excavated primarily to loose, sand like surfaces and small rocks;
however, since the competition disqualifies rocks found in the
deposited regolith towards the final weight of material collected,
this is an acceptable limitation.