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MARVIN — Mars Analogue Rover

🇬🇧 Made in UK Autodiscovery

MARVIN (Mars Analogue Rover Vehicle for INtelligent navigation) is a 6-wheel drive analogue Mars rover developed by Autodiscovery in collaboration with RAL Space / ASG (Autonomous Systems Group) at the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). It is designed for long-range navigation trials such as sample fetch missions, and features ExoMars-like suspension and dimensions, making it a highly capable platform for space analogue field trials and R&D.

MARVIN Mars Analogue Rover

MARVIN features a compact base on which payloads and a mast can be mounted. It includes optional long-range (1 km) 20 Mb/s communications, built-in 1 TB RAID 1 solid-state storage (networked), and custom motor controllers with dual encoders and identical hub joints throughout. The platform is ROS compatible with a GAZEBO kinematic model, making it readily integrable into standard robotics development workflows.

Key Specifications

  • Body Width: 1 m
  • Body Length: 1.22 m
  • Height (to top): 0.45 m
  • Height (with mast): 1.5 m (adjustable)
  • Weight: 83 kg (57 kg without batteries)
  • Drive: 6-wheel drive, individually controlled speed and position
  • Steering: 6-wheel independent steering
  • Speed: 0.4 – 4 cm/s
  • Battery Technology: LiPo 10S6P 49 kWh
  • Battery Life: 8 hours
  • Payload Mass: 50 kg
  • Payload Power: Unregulated 30–42 V DC

Interfaces & Connectivity

  • I/O: Ethernet, Wi-Fi, CAN, USB
  • Wireless: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz (802.11ac) up to 300 m; optional 1394 MHz long-range comms (1 km, 20 Mb/s)
  • Onboard Computer: Nvidia Jetson TX2
  • Storage: Networked solid-state RAID 1 (up to 2 TB)
  • Software: ROS compatible, Gazebo kinematic model

Notable Features

  • Wheel walking capability
  • Adjustable mast (up to 1.5 m)
  • ExoMars suspension geometry and dimensions
  • Environment-controlled electronics bay
  • Custom dual-encoder motor controllers
  • Identical hub joints throughout for maintainability
  • Networked storage (up to 2 TB)

MARVIN has been used for long-range navigation and sample fetch analogue trials, providing invaluable data for the development of autonomous space robotics software and hardware. It is a key platform for demonstrating UK capability in space robotics.

Developed in collaboration with the Autonomous Systems Group (ASG) at RAL Space, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, STFC.