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Lead: Eugene Lee

Chassis

The Chassis team does hands-on, in-person assembly while learning and practicing mechanical design. We get our hands dirty, which is exactly why we can explain and stand behind every design decision we make. We are the main driver of integration, pulling the work of every other subteam together into a traversal-ready vehicle. Our job is to carry those components on a foundation that is reliable, debuggable, and clean.

• Mechanical design

  Contribute to the design and development of Chassis subsystems, propose solutions to open-ended problems, and support fabrication through machining, 3D printing and other shop processes. This year's projects are a drivetrain upgrade, a baseplate upgrade, and adding individual steering to the wheels.

• Integration projects

  Chassis leads integration with the other subteams. Tentative projects include a modular battery system that adjusts capacity to the task, and a deployable communications relay to double our effective range.

Leads: Rowan Zawadzki, Aaron Rhim, Ben Newington & Riddhima Gupta

Software

Software makes sure we can control, communicate, automate, and see the rover. We utilize the full potential of our hardware with tuned control loops, thorough testing, and streamlined communication between each subsystem. Our expertise includes blowing up motors, and kindly asking the mechanical teams for unscheduled maintenance.

• Systems engineering

  Embedded systems, control, and simulation - from small microcontrollers up to the main drive system and the human-machine interface.

• Autonomy

  Navigation and perception: computer vision, data from LiDAR, IMUs and cameras, and autonomous search and pathfinding algorithms.

• Communications

  Long-distance Wi-Fi, the deployable relay, radio comms, network testing and Linux networking.

Lead: Jennifer Phung

Rover Lab

Collect, process, and analyze: the Rover Lab team builds the engineering systems that allow for scientific experiments to be carried out onboard the rover. Using a collection of sensors, motors, pumps, and other electromechanical components, we work under adverse, time-sensitive conditions to discover which lifeforms exist beyond Earth.

• Soil collection

  Develop a mechanism to break up the arid, compact soil found on Mars, a method to cache the samples, and feedback and control through sensors, cameras and similar peripherals.

• Soil processing

  Build a leak-proof, clog-resistant fluid transport system, manufacture and test filtration methods from material choice to design, and work to the science team's agitator RPM and sample turbidity specifications.

• Electrical systems

  Design and manufacture a custom PCB that controls the lab's motors, valves and linear actuators, solder prototype boards, and route cabling to prevent damage and disconnection.

Business

The technical subteams might build the brain and skeleton of the rover, but Business is the blood that keeps the entire team pumping. We secure the corporate sponsorships, capital, and resources required to turn our ideas into a highly competitive Rover. By directing our digital brand, managing the treasury, and producing critical media like the SAR video, we build the operational foundation that makes UBC Rover possible.

• Sponsor outreach

  Lead direct outreach to corporate sponsors, manage professional communications, and negotiate funding or in-kind manufacturing donations. You would also develop and distribute the team's core sponsorship package. Three positions.

• Social media

  Take primary ownership of creating, managing and scheduling content across every platform, and work with the engineering subteams to turn technical updates into posts people actually read. One to two positions.

• Videographer

  Produce, shoot and edit the System Acceptance Review video - the single most important competition submission of the year - plus content for technical showcases and sponsor updates. One position.

• Brand management

  Oversee a cohesive visual identity across the logo, merchandise, stickers and banners, and develop and maintain the website: UI/UX, keeping it current, and managing the application portals. Two positions.

• Treasury

  Manage the team's finances: budgets, expense tracking and forecasting across every subteam, plus reimbursements and procurement logistics so parts arrive on time. One position.