Using Raspberry Pi Pico, a miniature Mars probe with an arm (schematic, PCB, 3D printing, source code, etc.)

Pico Mars Rover is an educational platform designed to inspire and engage children (but not only) in learning about programming, electronics, technology and space. Built around the new Raspberry Pi The Pico W can be programmed in MicroPython and controlled over WiFi and a server application written in Python. Of course, all electronics can be replaced with, for example, an Arduino. The robot’s chassis is built with open robotic platforms in mind, so brackets, adapters and parts can be easily designed and reused. The author used a cheap and popular DC motor with an omni wheel, but feel free to experiment and change parts as you see fit. Arm Have you ever seen a Mars rover without a robotic arm? Precisely, that's why the author designed one for this project as well. It's all 3D printed and uses cheap micro servo motors. The arm is not perfect and after some experiments the author had to shorten all the links which reduced the range of the arm but the small motor is very limited. It might be a good idea to redesign the arm for standard servo motors, but it might be difficult to install it on the robot. FPV System To transmit video in real time from the robot, the author uses a small FPV camera and a screen. This is the easiest to use and very cheap solution that allows you to experience controlling a robot from a "control room" at a distance based only on the camera view, sensors and arms.