The objective of this course is to develop advanced system integration and element-level design skills through a project-based
learning (PBL) approach centered on the development of a planetary exploration rover.
Students will work in specialized groups—locomotion, control, manipulator, terramechanics, and chassis/structural design—while collaborating with a system management group. Through iterative prototyping and testing, students will acquire practical engineering skills in system integration, verification, and technical communication.
Students will work in specialized groups—locomotion, control, manipulator, terramechanics, and chassis/structural design—while collaborating with a system management group. Through iterative prototyping and testing, students will acquire practical engineering skills in system integration, verification, and technical communication.
This course provides hands-on experience in designing, prototyping, and evaluating a small-scale planetary rover.
Students are divided into the following groups:
1. Locomotion System Group
2. Control System Group
3. Manipulator System Group
4. Terramechanics Group
5. Chassis and Structural Design Group (including overall system integration and management)
Each group presents progress reports in every class session, discussing technical challenges and interface consistency.
Midterm (Week 7) and final (Week 14) presentations will include live demonstrations of the prototype.
In addition, each group, including the system management group, will produce a short technical video summarizing their development process and results, to be presented in Week 14.
Students are divided into the following groups:
1. Locomotion System Group
2. Control System Group
3. Manipulator System Group
4. Terramechanics Group
5. Chassis and Structural Design Group (including overall system integration and management)
Each group presents progress reports in every class session, discussing technical challenges and interface consistency.
Midterm (Week 7) and final (Week 14) presentations will include live demonstrations of the prototype.
In addition, each group, including the system management group, will produce a short technical video summarizing their development process and results, to be presented in Week 14.
- Systematically understand and apply element technologies related to rover systems, including locomotion, control, terramechanics, manipulation, and structural design.
- Conduct integrated system design and validation while considering inter-group interfaces and system-level constraints.
- Effectively communicate technical concepts and results through oral presentations, live demonstrations, and technical video production.
| Assignments | Creation design | Presentation | Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 10% | 20% | 35% | 65% |
| 2. | 35% | 35% | ||
| 3. | 0% | |||
| Total. | 10% | 20% | 70% | - |
| Class schedule | HW assignments (Including preparation and review of the class.) | Amount of Time Required | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1． | Course Guidance and Project Introduction ・Course orientation ・Overview of rover systems ・Group formation |
Introduction to Robotics; Robotics; Fundamental Research on Rover Subsystems | 200minutes |
| 2． | Requirement Analysis and System Specifications ・Mission definition ・System requirement discussion ・Overall project management framework |
Research and Organization of Space Exploration Missions | 200minutes |
| 3． | Conceptual Design ・Concept presentation by each group ・Interface definition and discussion |
Research and Analysis of Lunar and Planetary Rover Missions (Part 1) | 200minutes |
| 4． | Detailed Design I ・Focus on locomotion and structural systems ・Terramechanics considerations |
Research and Analysis of Lunar and Planetary Rover Missions (Part 2) | 200minutes |
| 5． | Detailed Design II ・Control system design ・Manipulator system design |
Investigation of Control Strategies for Lunar and Planetary Rovers | 200minutes |
| 6． | Integrated Design Review ・Interface confirmation ・Prototyping plan developmentI |
Preparation of Review Materials (1) | 200minutes |
| 7． | Midterm Presentation (with Demonstration) ・Prototype presentation ・Functional demonstration ・Identification of technical challenges |
Preparation of Review Materials (2) | 200minutes |
| 8． | Design Improvement ・Refinement of identified issues ・Stability and strength analysis |
Examination of Improvement Plans Based on Review Feedback | 200minutes |
| 9． | Testing I (Locomotion and Control) ・Mobility performance tests ・Data acquisition |
Preliminary Study of Measurement Devices and Experimental Methods | 200minutes |
| 10． | Testing II (Manipulator and Structure) ・Operational testing ・Structural validation |
Data Analysis (Locomotion and Control Systems) | 200minutes |
| 11． | Integrated System Testing ・Full system operation ・Simulated mission test |
Data Analysis (Manipulator and Structural Systems) | 200minutes |
| 12． | Final Adjustments ・Troubleshooting ・Preparation for final presentation |
Data Analysis (Integrated System Testing) | 200minutes |
| 13． | Preparation for the final presentation and report ・Presentation rehearsal ・Video review ・Demonstration confirmation |
Development of Presentation Scenarios and Study of Video Editing Software | 200minutes |
| 14． | Final Presentation (Demonstration + Video Presentation) ・Live demonstration ・Technical presentation ・Short technical video screening |
Preparation for the Final Presentation | 200minutes |
| Total. | - | - | 2800minutes |
Assignments (10%), Creation design(20%), Presention(Midterm:35%, Final:35%)
The minimum passing criterion (60 points) is defined as a logical demonstration of understanding of the structure of lunar and planetary exploration rovers (at least five key components), along with at least one well-formulated proposal based on that understanding, whose effectiveness is clearly explained and justified.
The minimum passing criterion (60 points) is defined as a logical demonstration of understanding of the structure of lunar and planetary exploration rovers (at least five key components), along with at least one well-formulated proposal based on that understanding, whose effectiveness is clearly explained and justified.
| ways of feedback | specific contents about "Other" |
|---|---|
| Feedback in the class | 調査内容, 立案・創造, レポートについて, 授業内でフィードバックを行う. |
- Course that cultivates an ability for utilizing knowledge
| Work experience | Work experience and relevance to the course content if applicable |
|---|---|
| Applicable | Leveraging my experience in mechanism-based design and development, I will teach robotics concepts essential for transmission mechanisms in mechanical equipment development. |
- 4.QUALITY EDUCATION
- 9.INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Last modified : Sat Mar 14 14:33:37 JST 2026