The Effects of Speed on the Running Performance of a Small Two-Wheeled Lunar Rover

Small wheeled lunar rovers tend to dig into surfaces via wheel rotation, causing them to slip and get stuck on regolith. Additionally, reducing power consumption remains a longstanding challenge. This study created a small two-wheeled rover and conducted tests at various wheel rotation speeds to ass...

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Main Authors: Kimitaka Watanabe, Yamato Otani, Kazuto Tanaka
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Aerospace
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/2/115
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author Kimitaka Watanabe
Yamato Otani
Kazuto Tanaka
author_facet Kimitaka Watanabe
Yamato Otani
Kazuto Tanaka
author_sort Kimitaka Watanabe
collection DOAJ
description Small wheeled lunar rovers tend to dig into surfaces via wheel rotation, causing them to slip and get stuck on regolith. Additionally, reducing power consumption remains a longstanding challenge. This study created a small two-wheeled rover and conducted tests at various wheel rotation speeds to assess the effects of rotation speed on its running performance. Through running tests and the measurement of reaction force, the influence of different wheel rotation speeds on running performance was clarified. Running at low rotation speeds prevented slipping and sinking. Additionally, the amount of sinkage was shown to converge to a certain level even at higher rotation speeds. These findings suggest that the maximum wheel rotation speed at which the rover avoids getting stuck allows the rover to achieve running with low-power consumption.
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spelling doaj-art-0dc2e5db3a154b65abc73d0500ca11962025-08-20T03:11:03ZengMDPI AGAerospace2226-43102025-01-0112211510.3390/aerospace12020115The Effects of Speed on the Running Performance of a Small Two-Wheeled Lunar RoverKimitaka Watanabe0Yamato Otani1Kazuto Tanaka2Department of Biomedical Engineering, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe 610-0394, JapanDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe 610-0394, JapanDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe 610-0394, JapanSmall wheeled lunar rovers tend to dig into surfaces via wheel rotation, causing them to slip and get stuck on regolith. Additionally, reducing power consumption remains a longstanding challenge. This study created a small two-wheeled rover and conducted tests at various wheel rotation speeds to assess the effects of rotation speed on its running performance. Through running tests and the measurement of reaction force, the influence of different wheel rotation speeds on running performance was clarified. Running at low rotation speeds prevented slipping and sinking. Additionally, the amount of sinkage was shown to converge to a certain level even at higher rotation speeds. These findings suggest that the maximum wheel rotation speed at which the rover avoids getting stuck allows the rover to achieve running with low-power consumption.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/2/115lunartwo-wheeled roversregolithrotation speedpower consumption
spellingShingle Kimitaka Watanabe
Yamato Otani
Kazuto Tanaka
The Effects of Speed on the Running Performance of a Small Two-Wheeled Lunar Rover
Aerospace
lunar
two-wheeled rovers
regolith
rotation speed
power consumption
title The Effects of Speed on the Running Performance of a Small Two-Wheeled Lunar Rover
title_full The Effects of Speed on the Running Performance of a Small Two-Wheeled Lunar Rover
title_fullStr The Effects of Speed on the Running Performance of a Small Two-Wheeled Lunar Rover
title_full_unstemmed The Effects of Speed on the Running Performance of a Small Two-Wheeled Lunar Rover
title_short The Effects of Speed on the Running Performance of a Small Two-Wheeled Lunar Rover
title_sort effects of speed on the running performance of a small two wheeled lunar rover
topic lunar
two-wheeled rovers
regolith
rotation speed
power consumption
url https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/2/115
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