Viper was designed and built in eight weeks from the first key press to the last screw.

The robot was completely designed using CADkey 19 in 3D. Using this package the robot designed was tweaked until perfect, then the parts could be manufactured using a combination of CAM and standard manufacturing techniques. The ability of CADkey to assess the weight of each of the components and the robot as a whole proved invaluable as the original design would have weighed 250 Lbs. Some judicious drilling and milling and the estimated weight was calculated as 206 Lbs

The frame was manufactured out of 75 lbs of mild steel tube, welded to form a strong basis for the basic six wheeled drive-train, sprockets and chains.

Two Hawker 16Ah sealed lead acid batteries provide Motive Power for two NPC 24V 180 Rpm motors.

A steel hub was manufactured to provide direct drive to the middle wheels, a fallback in case of any problems with the chains.

Steel sides and a Lexan to and bottom provided protection and the robot was finished off with a height adjustable steel wedge.

The Robot was entered in Robotica Series One on 21st march 2000 to see how we did click here.