Surveyor Corporation is working on some cool tech. They are building some of the most advanced robots available in a tiny package. Unlike most other companies they have a build journal that is open to the public that lets us follow the progress of the project. Of course this journal also documents the issues and stumbling blocks that they have has along the way.

It looks like this little robot may be going to the moon! Turns out that Team FREDNET, one of the teams entered in the Google Lunar X-Prize will be using this robot as their platform.

Watch the Team FREDNET CNDB interview.

Some Google Lunar X-Prize informational videos are available after the jump.

“Features

Open Source design with full access to source code (GPL) and schematics
Robot is fully programmable for autonomous operation
Extensive software support through 3rd party applications
Teleoperate mode to drive robot around via console software or remotely via web browser
Host software has built-in web server and video archiving
Robot can run programs written in interpreted C and stored in onboard Flash
Wireless remote control or viewing up to 100m indoors and 1000m outdoors (line of sight)
Robot can be controlled from a terminal/console for easy testing
Linux 2.6 support as well as “bare metal” programming with GNU bfin-elf-gcc

Hardware

Processor: 1000mips 500MHz Analog Devices Blackfin BF537, 32MB SDRAM, 4MB Flash, JTAG
Camera: Omnivision OV9655 1.3 megapixel 160×128 to 1280×1024 resolution
Robot Radio: Lantronix Matchport 802.11b/g WiFi
Range: 100m indoors, 1000m line-of-site
Sensors: 2 laser pointers for ranging
Drive: Tank-style treads with differential drive via two precision DC gearmotors (100:1 gear reduction)
Speed: 20cm – 40cm per second (approx 1 foot/sec or .5 mile/hour)
Chassis: Machined Aluminum
Dimensions: 120mm long x 100mm wide x 110mm tall (5″ x 4″ x 4.5″)
Weight: 460gm (16oz)
Power: 7.2V 2AH Li-ion battery pack – 4+ hours per charge
Charger: 100-240VAC 50/60Hz (US plug) ”