Marsobot: design and performance characterization of a low-cost, ground-based multispectral camera on an open source rover

Abstract

Open source, low cost sensors, and robotic systems have developed to the point of being able to produce meaningful, repeatable results in real-life applications. We developed a low-cost, open source multispectral camera mounted on a small custom-built robotic rover. We compared the performance of our camera with a commercial multispectral camera and a laboratory spectrometer using minerals commonly found on Mars that exhibited different reflectance values in visible and near-infrared wavelengths. Our camera performed favourably when compared to the commercial instruments. It is a very cost effective solution for operating in extreme situations, where damage to instruments is possible. Our total system of rover and sensor would, therefore, be very useful for operating in delicate and inaccessible environments where damage to the area under investigation and to human observers is of concern.