SunFounder GalaxyRVR Kit for Arduino, Release 1.0
the wheels keep in contact with the ground. The body of the rover maintains the average angle of both rockers.
One end of a rocker connects to a wheel, while the other end connects to the bogie.
• The “bogie” part of the system is like a mini-limbed creature attached to the rocker. It’s a smaller linkage system
that pivots in the middle to the rocker and has a wheel at both ends.
With this basic understanding, let’s hop to the next step of our adventure.
Step 2: Seeing the System in Action
Below is a GIF that showcases the unique features of the Rocker-Bogie suspension system and illustrates how it enables
Mars rovers to navigate the challenging Martian terrain.
After watching the gif, let’s have a discussion! Think about these questions:
• Why do you think the Rocker-Bogie suspension system is suitable for Mars exploration?
• Can you describe how the Rocker-Bogie system works in your own words?
• What are the key features of the Rocker-Bogie system that help the rovers to negotiate rough terrain?
Feel free to share your thoughts and insights about the Rocker-Bogie suspension system.
Step 3: Building it
Now that we’ve learned about the Rocker-Bogie system, it’s time to build our own.
Materials you need:
• GalaxyRVR Kit
• Basic tools like screwdriver and wrench
• Follow the steps provided in the assembly instructions of the GalaxyRVR Kit to construct the suspension system
of the Rover.
Please note that patience and precision are essential here, make sure you correctly place every piece and secure it tightly.
In the meantime, discuss with your peers about the design and function of each component you are assembling. This
will not only help in understanding the design but also its practical application in Mars exploration.
Remember, don’t worry if you encounter any issues during the assembly or testing. This is all part of the engineering
process! Troubleshooting problems is how we learn and innovate.
Step 4: Summary and Reflection
During the assembly of the suspension system, did you notice that all the moving parts utilize self-locking nuts? Have
you ever wondered why?
Self-locking nuts are a type of fastener that includes a rubber ring inside a regular nut. This design ensures that the
assembled parts won’t easily loosen and fall off due to vibrations during movement.
In addition, it also ensures that the parts can rotate within a certain range.
So during assembly, you need to tighten the screw and self-locking nut with a socket and screwdriver first, then loosen
it a bit. This ensures that there’s room for free rotation between the parts without them being too loose.
In this lesson, we not only learned about the Rocker-Bogie System but also built one ourselves. Furthermore, we can
manually simulate how it allows the Mars Rover to move smoothly over various rough terrains.
Armed with this knowledge and experience, we are now better equipped to venture deeper into the unknown realms of
Martian exploration. Let’s continue to unravel the mysteries of the red planet.
3.2. Lesson 2 Understanding and Making Rocker-Bogie System 21
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