Vintage Mars Rover Robot Motor Drive

This vintage Mars rover has a very simple construction. The back wheels attach to a common axel and a simple gear train consisting of plastic cogwheels drives it. A design flaw with this rover is that the open gear system and motor are extremely noisy, thus confusing the sound detection circuit. Consequently, this rover works better if the microphone is pointing upwards and as far away from the noise as possible.

The front wheel mounts on a plastic arm, which pivots freely.

This Article Continues...