Concept Generation and Design Ideation

Exploration Devices

A surface‑sampling exploration device is designed to directly interact with the ground in order to collect physical material for analysis. Its primary goal is to gather soil, rock, sediment, or other surface‑level samples that can reveal the chemical, geological, or biological characteristics of an environment. By physically retrieving material and relying on remote sensing, the device provides an example of what the surface is made of and how it has changed over time. This hands‑on approach allows researchers to study composition, structure, and environmental conditions with a level of detail that other observation‑only tools can’t match.

The audience for a surface‑sampling device is likely going to include scientists, engineers, and research teams who need accurate, lab‑quality data from locations that are difficult or unsafe to reach. In academic settings, these devices also support students learning about field methods, planetary science, or environmental analysis. Depending on the mission, they may also be used by environmental specialists, geologists, or industrial teams working in remote or hazardous areas. Regardless of the specific user group, the device is built to deliver reliable, well‑documented samples that help people better understand the environment they are studying.

Generate Ideas

Our Team each genrate roughly 25 ideas per member. We then placed our ideas on the whiteboard below.

Team sorting and Ranking

We then grouped our ideas into different catergories based on functionality and use. Shown on the whiteboard below

Concepts

After sorting and catergorizing these ideas, our team then came up with 3 concepts each with seperate functions and different purposes. Shown below

Concept 1: Precision Surface‑Sampling Rover

Collect high‑quality surface and subsurface samples, analyze them on‑site, and return structured scientific data, Ideas for this concept shown on whitboard below:

Concept 2: Adaptive Terrain Explorer

Navigate unpredictable, hazardous, or varied terrain using adaptive movement systems and environmental awareness tools. Ideas for this concept shown on whitboard below:

Concept 3: Assisted Exploration Companion

Support users—students, field teams, or non‑experts—through guided exploration with strong instructional, feedback, and interactive features. Ideas for this concept shown on whitboard below:

Concept Sketches

Our team came up with diifferent sketch concepts for our project:

Precision Surface Rover:

Adaptive Terrain Explorer:

Assisted Exploration Companion:

Description:

Mobility: Equipped with four robust, square wheels designed to traverse rocky and uneven terrain with stability and ease.

Visual Sensors: Two circular “eyes” on the head act as stereo cameras providing depth perception for navigation and obstacle detection.

Robotic Arm: A simple articulated arm mounted on the front enables the rover to manipulate small objects, collect samples, or interact with the environment.

Communication: talks to other subsystems for instruction

Concept Selection

We selected Concept 1: the Precision Surface‑Sampling Rover because its overall design aligns directly with the technical goals of our project and the subsystem requirements assigned to each member of Team 306. This rover concept provides a clear framework for integrating our four embedded system modules, electromagnetism‑based sensing, a human‑machine interface, wireless communication, and a motor‑driven drilling mechanism—into one cohesive platform. The rover’s mechanical foundation, including its all‑terrain wheel system, reinforced frame, and durable exterior, supports reliable movement and stability during underground exploration. Its sampling hardware, such as the subsurface drill and modular sampling head, gives our team a practical structure for implementing Keith’s motor‑driven drilling subsystem. The sensing portion of the design is especially well‑suited for Terry’s magnetic field detection system, which will allow the rover to identify subsurface metallic objects and map electromagnetic variations. This subsystem fulfills the course requirement for meaningful sensor integration while contributing directly to the rover’s mission. Charlie’s human‑interface module fits naturally into the rover’s control architecture through joystick navigation, touchscreen menus, and visual status indicators, ensuring intuitive operator interaction. Vanessa’s wireless communication subsystem integrates seamlessly with the rover’s data‑handling needs, enabling remote operation, telemetry, and real‑time data transfer. Together, these elements create a complete, mission‑driven rover concept that brings together mechanical design, embedded electronics, software control, and sensing capabilities. Concept 1 provides the most coherent structure for combining our individual subsystems into a functional subterranean rover that meets the expectations and learning objectives of EGR 314.