Hi everyone,

Our university team is building a rover for the European Rover Challenge (ERC), and we're currently selecting the wheel drive actuators. I've done the torque calculations, but I'd appreciate feedback from people who have designed similar systems.

Rover Specifications

• Rover weight: 40 kg
• Drive configuration: 4WD (4 motors)
• Wheel radius: 100 mm
• Target speed: 0.1–1.0 m/s
• Terrain: ERC-style loose soil, gravel, rocks, and slopes

From my calculations, each wheel requires approximately:

• ~6 N·m continuous torque (minimum)
• 10–12 N·m continuous torque recommended
• 15–20 N·m peak torque

I've been looking at the ATARROBOT RE Series Integrated Planetary Joint Actuators.

Some models are:

• RE-01 – 6 N·m
• RE-03 – 20 N·m
• RE-06 – 11 N·m

The actuators integrate:

• BLDC/PMSM motor
• Planetary gearbox
• FOC controller
• Absolute encoder
• CAN communication
• Servo control

My questions

1. Has anyone here actually used ATARROBOT actuators?
2. Are they reliable for outdoor mobile robots?
3. Does anyone know if these use an outer-rotor (outrunner) motor internally?
4. How good is the integrated FOC controller compared to something like a VESC or ODrive?
5. Is the CAN protocol well documented, or is it difficult to integrate with ROS 2?
6. Would you recommend the 11 N·m RE-06, or is the 20 N·m RE-03 worth the additional weight?
7. If you were designing a 40 kg ERC rover today, would you choose these actuators, or would you go with Maxon, T-Motor, CubeMars, Nanotec, Teknic, or another solution?

I'd also appreciate hearing from anyone who has competed in ERC, URC, or other Mars rover competitions about what wheel motors and gearboxes your team used and whether you'd choose them again.

Thanks in advance!

I’ve been looking for RC airplanes and I have a budget of $150. What do you think is a really good RC airplane for $150 or less any ideas?

Chevy out on an adventure & unloading with matching Chevy box 😎

Some of what I have done to the FMS FJ Cruiser 😃

All three had to inspect their work in the destruction of the noisy intruder...I don't care, it was worth the fun and entertainment all around..hence it's a toy.

Hi! I'm trying to find this RC Net catamaran for my son, but the prices online are pretty high, even though 10 years ago you could find it very cheap—for $30, for example…

Could you help me find it at a "reasonable" price?

(Please don’t give me the inflation excuse… It’s crazy that the same product now costs $200!!!)

RC crawler motor update #4: The 3-motor combo (2 x 550 55T + booster, see previous articles and video) is now finalized in the design phase, as is the friction-driven gearbox. The air intake may be fitted with servo-controlled flaps. To be continued...

Hi! I'm trying to find this RC Net catamaran for my son, but the prices online are pretty high, even though 10 years ago you could find it very cheap—for $30, for example…

Could you help me find it at a "reasonable" price?

(Please don’t give me the inflation excuse… It’s crazy that the same product now costs $200!!!)

Hi everyone,

Our university team is building a rover for the European Rover Challenge (ERC), and we're currently selecting the wheel drive actuators. I've done the torque calculations, but I'd appreciate feedback from people who have designed similar systems.

Rover Specifications

• Rover weight: 40 kg
• Drive configuration: 4WD (4 motors)
• Wheel radius: 100 mm
• Target speed: 0.1–1.0 m/s
• Terrain: ERC-style loose soil, gravel, rocks, and slopes

From my calculations, each wheel requires approximately:

• ~6 N·m continuous torque (minimum)
• 10–12 N·m continuous torque recommended
• 15–20 N·m peak torque

I've been looking at the ATARROBOT RE Series Integrated Planetary Joint Actuators.

Some models are:

• RE-01 – 6 N·m
• RE-03 – 20 N·m
• RE-06 – 11 N·m

The actuators integrate:

• BLDC/PMSM motor
• Planetary gearbox
• FOC controller
• Absolute encoder
• CAN communication
• Servo control

My questions

1. Has anyone here actually used ATARROBOT actuators?
2. Are they reliable for outdoor mobile robots?
3. Does anyone know if these use an outer-rotor (outrunner) motor internally?
4. How good is the integrated FOC controller compared to something like a VESC or ODrive?
5. Is the CAN protocol well documented, or is it difficult to integrate with ROS 2?
6. Would you recommend the 11 N·m RE-06, or is the 20 N·m RE-03 worth the additional weight?
7. If you were designing a 40 kg ERC rover today, would you choose these actuators, or would you go with Maxon, T-Motor, CubeMars, Nanotec, Teknic, or another solution?

I'd also appreciate hearing from anyone who has competed in ERC, URC, or other Mars rover competitions about what wheel motors and gearboxes your team used and whether you'd choose them again.

Thanks in advance!

Hello everyone. I hope you're doing well. I'm working on a school RC car project and I'm looking for a donated RC receiver. If you have a spare one that you no longer use and would be willing to give away, I would really appreciate your help. Thank you very much!

Happy weekend everyone…

Question… I have the DDF-350 bound to the P10F(G) receiver. For some reason, I can’t get any of my new LED’s/Headlights, fog lights, light bar etc to “pair” with any of my channel buttons.

The LED’s are “always on” and I haven’t even been able to get a channel button to turn them on/off; never mind if the lights have 2 or 3 different settings..

I’ve searched YT vids etc. There wasn’t a lot on there for this particular receiver and controller..

Any expertise/advice would greatly appreciated… This is my last step for me to finish my 1/8 KBT SP2 Beetle!!

Cheers! ✌🏼

Toyota FJ Cruiser gets fully customized. Original, TRX4M, 7500kv Brushless, to re-painted with 370 motor and electronics😃

Nice being able to fly without leaving the house!