June 17, 2026
Description
A small, remote-controlled rover built as a modular platform — basically a box on wheels, powered by a Li-Ion battery pack. I built it as a project I could keep adding parts and features to over time, as needed.
One setup I'm working on is meant for exploring with a clear video feed anywhere there's Wi-Fi coverage — spots that are hard to squeeze into, tight or awkward corners, or situations where you want to observe from a distance, like watching wildlife without disturbing it. I mounted an old Windows PC on the rover, connected a few USB cameras, and use OBS Studio to arrange the views on my screen. It connects over Wi-Fi, so I drive it straight from my computer.
In OBS I laid out the cameras to feel like driving a car: the main camera faces forward, the rear camera sits at the top of the screen like a rear-view mirror, and down the line I want to add a third camera on a pan-tilt mount so I can look around without turning the rover. It makes driving much easier and more fun — especially if you're just learning to control something remotely.
The wheels are the standout: with silicone plugs fitted into the hub, they grip really well on grass and rocky terrain, and the silicone soaks up shocks. I've used the same wheels on a couple of mini lawn-mower prototypes too.
Takanawa 555 gear motors qty 4
8mm flange coupling connector qty 4
Sabertooth dual motor driver qty 1
18650 battery holder qty 6 (used for 6S4P configuration Li-Ion battery pack)
Panasonic NCR18650B qty (at least 6. I used 4 in parallel, 6 in series so my pack is 24 cell)
They are very expensive these days, you can pick an equivalent.
24V BMS (BMS-battery management system)
.250"x.375" silicone rubber plugs qty 48 per wheel
XT60-EF connector qty 3
On-Off rocker switch qty 2
4" wheel hub qty 4
wheel inner ring qty 4
motor mounting plate qty2
RC utility rover chassis qty1
I printed mine in ASA, with the cover in PETG. That said, the parts aren't under heavy structural load, so PETG or PCTG work just as well for the whole build — PCTG in particular is a nice step up, a bit tougher and less brittle than PETG while printing about as easily. The main reason to stick with ASA is if the rover will spend a lot of time in strong sun, where ASA's better UV and heat resistance pays off.
The process is fairly simple. The most tedious part is the wheels — pushing and pulling the silicone plugs in one by one (48 per wheel). It's worth it, though: the grip and cushioning are excellent. If you manage to build a set, I'd love to see your results.
Be careful with the battery pack. If you're not comfortable building a Li-Ion pack, it's better to buy a pre-made one that fits the chassis after the motors are installed.
The wheels provide excellent traction on lawns. Check out these mini mower prototype videos showcasing some designs:
License:
Creative Commons — Attribution
10
danec
