Audi’s expertise used to assist in lunar rover development
- Rui Santos
- 27 de jul. de 2015
- 2 min de leitura
German automaker Audi is flying to the moon within the Google Lunar XPRIZE competition in an unmanned rover.
The rover will land in the same spot as the last manned Apollo 17 mission in 1972. The privately funded competition pairs Audi with Part-Time Scientists to develop a lunar vehicle that embodies Audi’s technology and design.
“With Audi we have acquired a strong partner that will bring us a big step forward with its technological and mobility capabilities,” said Robert Böhme, founder and head of Part-Time Scientists.
Take me to the moon The €30 million Google Lunar XPRI competition challenges engineers and entrepreneurs to develop a low-cost robotic space exploration vehicle. Privately funded teams must place a robot on the moon and explore 500 meters of the surface. High-definition video and images are then expected to be transmitted back to Earth.
Part-Time Scientists is a team of primarily German and Austrian engineers that receive international support. Supporters of the group, including Audi, stem from research groups to universities to dedicated-space companies.
The Google Lunar prize started with 25 teams and is currently in the final round. Part-Time Scientists include 15 teams from nine different countries.
Part-Time Scientists’ vehicle is made primarily from aluminum and has been tested in locations around the world. Adjustable solar panels give energy to lithium-ion batteries.
Electric motor wheels move the vehicle and several cameras line the front of it. It has off-road capabilities for the moon surfaces.
The 236,121 miles to the moon takes about five days and the rover will land on the north side of the moon. Another factor in the development of the vehicle was that temperatures can reach 572 degrees Fahrenheit on the surface of the moon.
Audi is supporting the team with its technological advancements, electric mobility and piloted driving.
Advancing into the future Audi has dedicated many initiatives to self-piloted vehicles. This mission to the moon solidifies its advancements in technology to many consumers.
Other initiatives include, an Audi demonstration last summer where the automaker tested its new autonomous vehicle on a designated road in Tampa, FL.
Florida was chosen as the site because state law allows autonomous vehicles to be tested on roads. The law allows Audi to move ahead with the creation of this vehicle by permitting test runs on actual freeways, which also directs publicity upon the brand and the self-piloted car (see story).
Also, the German automaker showed that its Audi A7 autonomous concept vehicle can seamlessly meld into traffic by going on a 560-mile test drive.
Audi piloted its concept vehicle, nicknamed “Jack,” from Silicon Valley, CA to Las Vegas for the annual Consumer Electronics Show, which concluded on Jan. 9. In a time when many automakers are unveiling and testing autonomous driving experiences, showing the realistic implications can help consumers learn to trust the latest technologies (see story).
The future of autonomous driving and the reception of consumers with the new technology is unknown, but the continual effort by Audi and other automakers make the technology possible.
“We look forward to future interaction and a fruitful partnership,” said Mr. Böhme.
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