Sentinel is fully working Robot Rover inspired by the one NASA has sent to Mars. This Rover is loaded with electronics and has hundreds of parts. It is our mascot and is always on display in our lobby.
Inspired by the project: “Google Lunar X Prize” the first version of Sentinel was build by hand, with saws, metal file and a drill press between 2009 and 2010. Later, we bought a CNC, Metal Brake, Metal Lathe and many more tools to create professional robots. If you look at the making-of gallery below, you can see the evolution! Sentinel was the first inspiration of ITNX.
General Specs
- Weight: 45 lbs.
- Dimension: 18.5in x 27in x 32in (width, length, height)
- Frame Material: Aluminium
ROVER FEATURES
Hardware specs
- 13 motors: 6 for the wheels, 4 to steering (exactly like a Mars Rover) and 3 to move the head
- Head include: 3 red lasers (laser like pointer laser), 1 LED light and 2 webcams
- Body: 1 additional webcam in the body to help drive the rover
- Solar panels: 2x working panels generating a 12v output
- All 6 wheels are made in 1 piece of aluminium to support the weight of the rover.
Inside the robots
We use Phidgets controllers to drive the Rover.
2x 12v batteries 7.5AMP that we recharge by connecting a power cord directly to the rover. One battery used for the motors and the second for the electronics.
Software
The Rover is remotely controlled via Wi-Fi of Ethernet (for local testing).
Electronics
- 1x Single Board Computer (Phidgets PhidgetSBC2)
- 1x PhidgetMotorControl HC to drive the rover
- 2x PhidgetStepper Unipolar 4-Motor for steering and head control
- 1x Wi-Fi USB Adapter 802.11b/g
- 2x Power supply charger