A new Martian rover made by students
The innovative Mars rover Silesian Phoenix III officially presented. At the Educational and Congress Centre of the Silesian University of Technology, the gathered guests could see with their own eyes a new project made by students from the Inter-Faculty Student Scientific Association for the Application of Artificial Intelligence Methods AI-METH.
The Mars rover Phoenix III is the latest invention of the students of the Silesian University of Technology.
-In our opinion, this is an extraordinary structure designed and prepared in less than a year. The rover is ready to participate in the Anatolian Rover Challenge, during which it will have to perform a number of simulations of space missions, said Andrzej Jałowiecki, supervisor of the Silesian Phoenix project.
During the competition, the rover will have to reach certain points on the simulated Martian field and perform certain operations using a robotic arm, such as turning some valves. The task of the rover will also be to collect a soil sample, which will then allow the research team to analyse the collected material in terms of finding traces of life or the possibility of growing plants on Mars. Simulated tasks during the competition may in the future prove themselves in the real Martian reality, but this would require modification.
The designers of the rover have no doubt that their design is unique and is able to cope with many challenges also in space.
- The first unique feature of this rover is the material it is made of. Most of the elements are made of a composite material, carbon-epoxy fibre. This is something innovative that none of the rovers in the world has ever shown. These materials are the future of rovers that will be sent into space because they are lighter than previous designs. The robot weighs only 18 kg - explained Jakub Gurgul - SKN Silesian Phoenix project manager.
- It is true that this project is packed with innovations. The world's most respected technical universities are all about innovation. We are all the more pleased that there are so many scientific circles at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering that bring together many young people and want to prepare such projects - added dr hab. Eng. Damian Gasiorek, prof. SUT - Vice-Dean for cooperation and development of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.
The authorities of the university, which financially support the activities of all scientific circles operating at the Silesian University of Technology, are also proud of the student project.
- We are glad that our science clubs are so active. As a research university, the Silesian University of Technology strives for excellence in research and education. Our idea for this perfection is the activity of students, e.g. gathered in scientific circles, in which they carry out various projects. Today's presentation shows that we have chosen the right course of action, which brings very good results - said prof. dr hab. Eng. Bogusław Łazarz, Vice-Rector for General Affairs.
We could see the effects of the activities of the Inter-Faculty Student Scientific Association for the Application of Artificial Intelligence Methods AI-METH with our own eyes. It is already known that after preparing meticulous reports: technical, financial and scientific, and preparing appropriate video recordings, the team qualified for the final of the competition that will test the rover in action. The competition will take place in Ankara in mid-July.
