This university course is based on the design thinking approach and the task is to build a so called “remote controlled Bluetooth car”, which had a certain function for the user. A Arduino, motor panel, bluetooth module and motors were provided by FabLab Graz Staff — all other stuff like frame, chassis, wheels etc. is done by the student teams.
One student team decides to build an “amphicar”, which could drive both on land and on the water. Furthermore it should make a “wave-like” movement. To enable the movement on the water, the team designed the back wheels with a certain geometry (like a paddlewheel) and for more friction they put some rubber (old inner tube of a bicycle) onto all wheels. The “wave-like” movement was a bit tricky at first, but the idea of using an eccentric axle turned out to fit perfectly into their needs.
For the frame they decided to make it very light, so they bought “Balsa-Holz” and cut the geometries (layer for layer) on the laser cutter. After assembling all the layers they inserted polystyrol in the inside for mounting the electrical devices. It also rose the electrical system a bit, by means if the inside would get wet, the electric should be save. The axles were made out of aluminium rods and glued into the wheels. To make the whole frame waterproof, they covered the inside with more glue and put some cellular rubber at the “wheel bearings”. To have a special design, they also build a chassis that looked like an origami boat. It was made out of hard foam and covered with paper.
After having some troubles with the software at first, they did some improvements on the wheels (more friction) and tested it again outside on the concrete. It worked nearly perfectly. 😉