Mars Rover

Led a multidisciplinary Mars Rover team to the 2026 University Rover Challenge (URC) at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Southern Utah. Smallest team in the competition (4 total members). Competed against teams with hundreds of undergraduate and graduate members. Placed 20th overall and 11th for science mission out of 116 teams from 18 countries.

Designed, manufactured, wired, and programmed an automated electro-mechanical subsystem to drill and extract subsurface soil, transfer it through a multi-stage mechanical assembly, and run life detection assays using ninhydrin and resazurin. Subsystem features a large number of custom-designed precision-toleranced mechanical components, a custom heater, motors + motor controllers, servos, sensors and much more. Control script written in Python running on Raspberry Pi 5. Chemical tests validated in lab.

Designed and manufactured robotic gripper capable of grasping and lifting 20KG. Lead screw driven design. Features linear actuator to autonomously type on keyboard and insert USB C. Features camera for teleoperated and autonomous operation.

Designed and manufactured tank style treads allowing the rover to traverse rough terrain reliably.

Secured $15,000 in funding from investors to support team operations and the build.