LUNAR NAVIGATION ROVER

Abstract: Reliable navigation is essential for lunar rovers, ensuring both safe remote operation and effective autonomous movement. This project highlights a navigation system implemented for a prototype wheeled lunar rover capable of traveling over a kilometer in natural outdoor terrain. The system uses stereo terrain mapping for obstacle detection and integrates steering inputs from both the user and the rover for optimal navigation. Additionally, advancements in robotics and automation are replacing tasks previously controlled by humans. This project focuses on a robot controlled via Android technology, where commands are transmitted through Wi-Fi from an Android device to the hardware’s Wi-Fi receiver, enabling the robot to execute the corresponding actions seamlessly.

Keywords: Stereo Terrain Mapping, Obstacle Avoidance, Arbiter, User Interface