Although we did not have the resources to fully participate in this Challenge, we did design a simple, low development time, energy-mobility platform which produces 10-100 times the water product at 1/10th the landed mass/cost.
Might be an idea to unload from the bottom of the bots. If the mining cart bots drive up a ramp over a specially designed piece it could unload the bots without the use of a motor.
I know this is a fairly old comment, but I think any other design would likely end up much more complicated. You'd also likely need an entirely different robot design defeating the purpose of their mostly modular design. Meanwhile, a dumping mechanism is simple and you can lift it well above the angle of repose with ease. Ultimately, this whole system seems to rely on breaking down a complicated task to very simple components where each bot is responsible for just one thing. If you start making things more complex than necessary, you ruin the robustness this system offers.
this is the resource that could start a large scale colinization for all humanity
Although we did not have the resources to fully participate in this Challenge, we did design a simple, low development time, energy-mobility platform which produces 10-100 times the water product at 1/10th the landed mass/cost.
Great concept introduction! Good luck with the proposal!! :)
Might be an idea to unload from the bottom of the bots. If the mining cart bots drive up a ramp over a specially designed piece it could unload the bots without the use of a motor.
I know this is a fairly old comment, but I think any other design would likely end up much more complicated. You'd also likely need an entirely different robot design defeating the purpose of their mostly modular design. Meanwhile, a dumping mechanism is simple and you can lift it well above the angle of repose with ease.
Ultimately, this whole system seems to rely on breaking down a complicated task to very simple components where each bot is responsible for just one thing. If you start making things more complex than necessary, you ruin the robustness this system offers.