History and Technology
History and Technology
The evolution
In 2017, MAR (Multipurpose Amphibious Rover) was born from Def-Tech, a spin off of the SeTeL R&D department, with the aim of creating a multipurpose amphibious vehicle. SeTeL, an engineering company that has been operating in Italy for 50 years, decided to support the objective and from this a technical-commercial collaboration begins, combining the innovative component with the solidity of a structured company. In fact, the goal required an economic and technical effort that could only be addressed through a multi-year program and various project phases. In this context, four patents formally owned by the Def-Tech company have been obtained over time.
Phase II
The first operational project, born in 2018 (AgriDroneVision co-financed by the Lazio Region), is oriented towards precision agriculture. The project is capable of carrying out surveying and monitoring activities on the ground associated with aerial images from a cooperating aerial drone.
In 2020, by winning the European LIFE 2020 tender (WineGRover), it was possible to carry out more extensive testing of the vehicle in the agricultural field, implementing an innovative system for precision viticulture. Its validity has been tested in 2 pilot sites (Italy and Spain) with different characteristics and under different conditions.
Both projects deal with the fusion of images and data acquired by the Rover (horizontal view), images from an aerial drone (vertical view) and data from sensors in the field.
The design of a new multispectral sensor optimized for MAR is underway, which will lead to real-time data fusion.
Phase II
The first operational project, born in 2018 (AgriDroneVision co-financed by the Lazio Region), is oriented towards precision agriculture. The project is capable of carrying out surveying and monitoring activities on the ground and associated with aerial images from a cooperating aerial drone.
In 2020, by winning the European LIFE 2020 tender (WineGRover), it was possible to carry out more extensive testing of the vehicle in the agricultural field, implementing an innovative system for precision viticulture. Its validity has been tested in 2 pilot sites (Italy and Spain) with different characteristics and under different conditions.
Both projects deal with the fusion of images and data acquired by the Rover (horizontal view), images from an aerial drone (vertical view) and data from sensors in the field.
The design of a new multispectral sensor optimized for MAR is underway, which will lead to real-time data fusion.
Phase III
At the same time, in self-financing, we are thinking about the future:
- We are continuing the studies on the amphibious version and have defined its requirements. We aim for experimentation in aquatic and humid environments.
- The experiences gained have shown that the MAR can be an enabling element of the Intelligent Factory. The Rover thus becomes the Information Technology mobile node capable of observing, processing and communicating.
MAR technology
The functioning of the system is based on a very simple principle: two large wheels containing pendulums inside them which rotate around a central axis.
Moving the pendulum moves the center of gravity of the wheel which consequently moves to recover the new balance.
The wheels are watertight and allow the entire unit to float. The pendulum containing batteries and motors is located inside the wheels. The propulsion is electric and all potential contaminants are confined inside the wheels.
Thus, the original idea of the MAR project is completed, a Rover with an amphibious characteristic: two large wheels, providing buoyancy, equipped with plastic blades or pseudo-fins that allow propulsion and therefore movement in the water.
