Meet The Team
We’re multidisciplinary.
Monash Nova Rover is a multidisciplinary student team passionate about designing and building the next generation of Mars and Lunar rovers. Our team utilises the annual University Rover Challenge (URC) in Utah and the Australian Rover Challenge (ARC) in South Australia as vehicles to develop new skills, innovate technologies, and promote STEM-based courses and careers.
The Sub-Teams
Arm
The Arm sub-team is responsible for the design, construction and operation of the robotic arm. The challenges of this sub-team include creating a sleek design that can complete a range of different tasks from picking up tools and opening draws to flipping switches and typing on a keyboard. It must be strong, lightweight and interface with the rover's control systems intuitively.
Chassis
The Chassis sub-team researches, designs and develops the core mechanical rover systems. We aim to design something light and strong that can drive over rocky terrain and hold the electrical, arm, science and software payloads. The main components of the chassis comprise of the chassis body, suspension and drive systems, with a focus on streamlined interfacing between other subsystems of the rover.
Science
The Science sub-team comprises Science Research and Science Engineering divisions. We develop payloads which contain various analytical instruments, mechanical components and electrical systems to analyse and gain resources from the environment. Team members conduct research into Lunar and Martian environments, design and manufacture analytical equipment and combine mechanical, electrical and scientific components into a system capable of detecting resources and life.
Electrical
The Electrical sub-team is responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of all the rover's electrical systems. Battery management, motor drivers and communications hardware are all managed by us, as well as any electrical assistance the other sub-teams require. We're responsible for circuit board design and assembly, troubleshooting and battery management. We produce a system that is capable of running various different subsystems such as the wheels and arm, scientific equipment and mechanical components across the rover.
Software
The Software sub-team has the essential role of integrating all other sub-teams to create and control an operational rover for the different tasks we compete in at international rover competitions. Alongside that, it is also responsible for completing autonomous tasks which combine more complicated aspects of programming such as path planning algorithms and machine learning to successfully identify and navigate towards an objective.
Business
The Business sub-team plays a critical role in shaping and supporting our team from a non-technical standpoint. Our responsibilities include business liaising, logistics management, media and design, outreach coordinating and finance management. We're responsible for Monash Nova Rover’s image and the complicated logistics of running and developing the team. We also aim to teach and inspire the next generation and learn skills relevant to the industry.