The androminarobot user explains on Letsmakerobots how to build the 4WD robotic rover that tries to be a DIY clone of Mars rover called Curiosity. The robot is maneuverable in multiple ways due to its wheels designed to turn independently.
According to the designer, the main features of the 4WD rover are the four directional wheels able to turn 90º to 0º and 90º to 180º. The wheels are driven by servo motors. Each servo motor controls the rotation of the wheel in accordance with user commands.
On the Letsmakerobots and its own personal blog, the designer shows you how to build and what components you need to make the robot. This version of the rover uses the Arduino UNO microcontroller, a Keyes 5.1 breadboard shield, and the KEYES L298N motor shield. The robot is controlled remotely with an IR remote control.
The project can be built at home with minimum costs. The main parts of the rover are the superior and inferior acrylic plates. Due to the properties of this material, the platform of the robot can host a large variety of components, including a webcam, sensors, LCD screen, and other devices. More than that, the platform can be customized for a large variety of prototyping boards such as Arduino MEGA, DUE, Yun, Galileo, or Raspberry Pi.
See the rover in action
Here is the project: Andromina robot v.1.2, a rover with 4 directional wheels