Bingus Bot
"The Bingus Bot is an AI rover designed to aid scientists onboard the Lunar Gateway to collect, analyze, and conduct experiments with rock samples from the moon. It will accomplish all of its jobs by utilizing a system of various sensors, cameras, drills, etc. Here is a short summary of my lunar rover:
What tasks will the robot do?
Collect, analyze, and conduct experiments on rock samples collected on the moon.
What challenges/opportunities is your robot tackling?
The Bingus Bot will act as a rover that can be controlled remotely OR by AI to conduct experiments in areas where it’s difficult for humans to explore.
What sensors will the robot use to help it carry on its tasks?
Ultraviolet spectrometer, X-Ray spectrometer, Ultrasonic sensor, Infrared sensor
What decisions will the AI make to help the robot? What actions does the robot do when it makes those decisions?
The AI for Bingus Bot will be able to identify the materials on the surface of the moon through the sensors located on the rover (specifically the x-ray spectrometer), collect them using drills/arms, and store them (inside a compartment on the rover) for later research. Basically, it will be able to fully automate the sampling and experimentation that would otherwise need to be controlled remotely by researchers.
Delving into more of the specifics, each component of the Bingus Bot is able to carry out a different job. Below I will list each of the labeled parts of the rover with each of their respective functions.
- Solar panels
There are a total of 2 sets of solar panels on the Bingus Bot: each set of solar panels consists of two smaller solar panels - one which connects to the robot directly, and one which is attached to the other solar panel. Because of this design, the solar panels are able to fold inwards if needed and are adjustable to maximize energy input. Of course, the adjustions will be controllable by AI. - Battery
The Bingus Bot will consist of two sets of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which can serve as a backup energy reserve in the event that there is no sunlight, or save any excess energy produced by the solar panels. - Cameras
There will be 2 TV cameras on the Bingus Bot - one facing the front and one facing the back. These cameras will be used to capture and transmit footage for viewers on earth to see. Similarly, there will be various other cameras located all around the rover to help scientists see better should they wish to drive the rover. - Titanium mesh wheels
Using pre-existing titanium mesh wheels designed by NASA, the Bingus Bot will be able to “float” across lunar terrains. These wheels will prevent the rover from sinking into the soil and provide it with more traction. - Infrared sensors
The infrared sensors will be used by the rover to sense the terrain underneath and “see” the area around it at night. This will help it better traverse the moon. - Ultrasonic sensor
There are two ultrasonic sensors located at the front and back of the rover, and will help the rover detect anything in front or behind to prevent collision when moving. - Drills
The drills located on the rover will be in charge of collecting samples of the lunar surface for scientific analysis, digging trenches or holes for placement of instruments or experiments, breaking up rock or soil to access subsurface materials, anchoring the rover or other equipment to the surface and preparing areas for future manned landings or construction projects. - Satellite + antenna
The satellite and antenna on the Bingus Bot will serve the purpose of providing communication and data transmission capabilities for the rover. It can also be used to establish a connection with ground control on Earth, allowing the rover to transmit data, images, and other information collected during its mission. Similarly, the antenna can also be used to receive commands and updates from ground control, which allows for remote control and monitoring of the rover's activities. Lastly, the antenna can be used for navigation and localization, using signals from GPS or other navigation satellites. - Ultraviolet spectrometer
The ultraviolet spectrometer on the Bingus Bot will be used to analyze the composition of the lunar surface. Essentially, the UV spectrometer will work by shining ultraviolet light on various surfaces and measuring the light that is reflected back. By analyzing the characteristics of the reflected light, the rover can determine the types of minerals and chemicals present in the soil and rock. The ultraviolet spectrometer will aid in determining the mineralogy and chemical composition of the surface of the moon, which is essential for understanding its geology, history, and potential resources. It also can also help identify volatile elements such as Hydrogen and Helium on the surface of the moon. - X-ray spectrometer
The X-ray spectrometer on the Bingus Bot rover will be used to analyze the composition of the moon’s surface. Similar to how the UV spectrometer works, the x-ray spectrometer works by shining X-ray beams on the surface and measuring the X-rays that are emitted back. By analyzing the characteristics of the emitted X-rays, the rover can determine the types of elements present in the soil and rock. An X-ray spectrometer can detect elements such as silicon, aluminum, titanium, iron, etc.. It can also detect trace amounts of elements such as gold, silver and platinum, which can be present in small quantities. The X-ray spectrometer will aid in determining the mineralogy and chemical composition of the surface of the moon, which is essential for understanding its geology, history, and the potential resources it holds. It also allows the rover to identify the elemental composition of the surface of the moon, which can help to understand the formation and evolution of the lunar surface. - Magnetometer
The magnetometer on the Bingus Bot will be used to measure the strength and direction of magnetic fields in the lunar environment. This information can be used to study the moon's crustal magnetic fields, which can provide insights into the moon's geology and history, as well as help to map the distribution of magnetic minerals on the lunar surface. Additionally, magnetometer data can be used to help navigate the rover and avoid areas with strong magnetic fields that could interfere with its instruments or communication systems. - Drone landing pad
Should it be necessary for a drone to be used during a mission, the drone landing pad will act as a space for NASA’s “ingenuity helicopter” to land. - Storage compartment
The storage/analyzation compartment will act as a space for any samples collected by the rover to be stored in. Inside this compartment samples will either be preserved, or can undergo further experimentation by components inside the compartment."