Robotics

ASME Robotics is a multidisciplinary student design team that designs, builds, and programs robotic systems. Our current project is the design, manufacturing, and programming of a Mars rover for the Canadian International Rover Challenge in August 2027. Our team teaches and provides opportunities to all students, regardless of prior experience.

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About the Competition

The Canadian International Rover Challenge (CIRC) is an annual Mars rover competition in Drumheller, Alberta, Canada. Since its founding in 2018, the competition has grown to include more than 25 teams annually. Teams design and operate rovers in a simulated Martian environment, completing missions that range from soil sampling and search and rescue to unconventional challenges like midnight heists and astronaut food delivery.

Our Teams

Rover

The Rover Team works on the development of the drivetrain, electronics, main body, and communications system. This team is best suited for students who are interested in CAD, FEA, and manufacturing.

Lead(s):

Roger Ochoa ochoa43@purdue.eduChristian Riddle riddle37@purdue.edu

Arm

The Arm Team is developing a custom six degree of freedom robotic arm that mounts to the front of the rover's main body. The current arm prototype features a capstan drive, hollow rotor shoulder motor, and a modular wrist with support for a variety of end effectors. This team is best suited for students who want to work on complex electrical and mechanical systems.

Lead(s):

Martin Yi yi176@purdue.edu

Karun Singh sing2328@purdue.edu

Manufacturing

The Manufacturing Team oversees the systems, processes, and resources that move our parts from design to assembly. Members of the team will create manufacturing plans, program CNC processes, and educate Robotics membership about fabrication and design for manufacturing.

Lead(s):

Niko Tharaldson ntharald@purdue.edu

Controls

The Controls Team integrates hardware (Raspberry Pis, motor controllers, etc.) and software (ROS2, Python) to steer the rover and actuate the arm. The team additionally oversees power management and communication between the rover and control center. This team is best suited for students who are interested in electronics and programming and those who would like to expand their controls knowledge.