Stingray

OVERVIEW

The quest to design a remote controlled vehicle capable of navigating an array of challenging obstacles, from elevated ramps to pits of popcorn.

For our final project in Professor Chris Myers’s DES INV 22: Prototyping and Fabrication at UC Berkeley, my teammate and I worked together to design a Bluetooth-controlled vehicle for our course’s end of year showcase.

Our vehicle has a simple, clean design and dual motor system. Its body is constructed from laser-cut plywood, with rubber tires around its wooden wheels and a ping pong ball fastened to its underside for balance. Due to its modular side clamps, the top of the vehicle is removable, allowing for easy access to the interior while still maintaining a minimal exterior appearance.

CONSTRUCTION
PROCESS

Chassis and circuit design

Low-fidelity prototyping

First, a low-fidelity cardboard prototype was constructed to verify the functionality of the electronic components and Bluetooth control. Then, the chassis and overall design was further developed to more securely house these components and enable greater mobility across a greater range of potential obstacles and terrains.

High-fidelity prototyping

After creating paper mockups to gauge the scale of the components, a chassis design was laser cut out of plywood, with press-fit dividers for the motors. Trays were also constructed to house the circuit board and battery pack securely. Prioritizing modularity, a set of clamps were developed to secure the two halves of the chassis while maintaining easy access to the interior.