Coyote III

Coyote III is a micro rover with high mobility performance in unstructured terrains. Equipped with its own power source, on-board sensor suite and computer it is able to perform autonomous exploration tasks. The communication subsystem allows to cooperate with other systems. Coyote III will be equipped with two standardized electro-mechanical interfaces, allowing to dock additional payload elements, such as a manipulator or standardized payload items. Due to the lightweight and robust structural design of Coyote III, it is possible to apply several kilograms of additional payload to the rover. The modular design approach allows to adapt the rover structure according to specific payload requirements.

Coyote III is developed within the scope of the project TransTerrA which aims to implement a logistics chain, based on a heterogeneous team of mobile and stationary robotic devices. While Coyote III is designed to be used as a modular rover platform, it is envisaged to operate as shuttle rover the logistics chain. The shuttles main task is to realize the transport of payload items between the exploration rover and different stationary modules.

Coyote III represents an enhanced design of the Coyote II rover, which was successfully tested and operated as micro scout rover. The design considerations and development concept of Coyote III is directly derived from the lessons learned of Coyote II as well as the given reference mission scenario. A modular design concept based on lightweight construction was chosen for Coyote III allowing to implement additional payload elements. Following the modularity concept introduced by the logistics chain, Coyote III will be equipped with two standardized electro-mechanical interfaces. They allow to dock additional payload items to the rover and provide the potential of extending the functionality of the rover platform. For payload item handling, a modular manipulator has been developed, which can be cocked to Coyote III via its electro-mechanical interfaces.

Besides the primar scenario with respect to extraterrestrial exploration, Coyote III can be applied to terrestrial applications as well, such as search and rescue and /or security. Especially the compact design and high mobility of Coyote III provide benefits within these fields. Furthermore, the modular design as well as the docking interfaces allow to adapt and/or equip the rover with dedicated payloads for each mission.